Is Water Scheduled by Hours in the Water Country? Citizens Raise Concerns and Clarifications Follow

«Veolia Water» Ltd. published a water supply schedule last December, stating that in some areas, from May 1 to September 15-17, the water supply will be provided according to a timed schedule starting January 1, 2024.

The company noted that the water supply schedule for the entire year of 2024 was developed considering the current technical capabilities of «Veolia Water» Ltd. and meets the minimum requirements for drinking water supply set by the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia.

Since early morning, citizens who contacted Auroranews expressed their outrage, noting that in the water country, water is being restricted to timed intervals. The old and cherished “traditions” are gaining momentum, with the boundaries expanding each year, involving new neighborhoods in the “sacred work” of water being delivered by the hour.

Citizens argue that how can they turn off the water from midnight until 7:00 AM (24:00-07:00) in the scorching summer heat? They claim that Armenia has the world’s most delicious and sweet drinking water. For centuries, Armenia has been called “the land of rivers and lakes.” Yet today, we face the drinking water issue only during the summer months; isn’t it about ensuring the “uninterrupted” operation of swimming pools?

Following citizen reports, Auroranews contacted «Veolia Water» Ltd., where they informed us that the information was published last year, and due to several points, a summer schedule was created for this year. “The first reason is the unprecedented increase in construction volumes in Yerevan, which has resulted in an increase in our subscribers, meaning that water consumption has increased. Additionally, the amount of water from gravity-fed sources has decreased over the years, and the use of drinking water for irrigation purposes, as well as violations, lead to insufficient water for the given areas. Therefore, taking into account all our technical capabilities and analyzing the summer demands, the schedule from May 1 to September 15 has been established. Nighttime water interruptions help fill reservoirs, allowing residents to have regular water supply during the daytime. If residents are faced with problems during the day, this schedule has been chosen, and a solution has been provided regarding this issue,” the company explained.

When asked if these interruptions help secure water for swimming pools, they stated that this is simply a misconception.