VIDEO: Discussion on Renegotiation of Contract with Veolia Water - Kamo Areyan

Yerevan needs a new stormwater drainage system. This was announced today during a session of the city's executive body by the advisor to the mayor, Kamo Areyan.

He reported that inventory work has already been carried out and two options have been discussed: constructing a new system or reconstructing the old, dilapidated, and underperforming system.

"In courtyards over the years, the stormwater drainage system has undergone physical interference and operates at only about 40 percent efficiency. In the courtyards servicing apartment buildings, this stormwater system mostly does not function at all. There are also remaining districts where there is no stormwater drainage system at all, totaling 18.8 km," he stated.

According to Kamo Areyan, approximately 28 km of storm drainage has been constructed during road construction projects. He mentioned that this stormwater drainage system is supposed to be handed over to Veolia Water, but the process is slowing down.

Areyans stated that the company needs to enhance its service; the cleaning of the drainage systems should be organized more frequently, even up to every week.

Yerevan's Mayor Tigran Avinyan instructed Deputy Mayor Levon Khachatryan to plan special equipment in next year's budget, so that in case of deficiencies by Veolia Water, the municipality can facilitate the cleaning of the drainage systems.

Kamo Areyan also informed that a consultation on this topic was held with Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, and the renegotiation of the contract with Veolia Water was discussed.

"The need for this was felt during the consultation, and the deputy prime minister instructed all parties to present their proposals. Our six-point proposals have been sent, and we await further discussions," he added.

According to Areyan, the proposal to renegotiate the contract was positively assessed by the Public Services Regulatory Commission.