The outbreak of intestinal infection registered in Byureghavan revealed the deep problems of Armenia’s water supply system. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called to wait for the results of the examination, at the same time emphasizing the widespread deterioration of the country’s water lines and the urgency of investments included in the tariffs.

During the briefing following the government session on July 30, the head of the executive referred to the cases of mass infection, noting that the relevant bodies and the “Veolia Water” company should make reasonable conclusions after finding out the real causes of the situation. Although the Prime Minister is not sure that the incident is directly related to systemic gaps, he considered the issue in a broader and strategic context.

According to Pashinyan, it is necessary to clearly realize that the republic’s water supply network is seriously damaged. Only laying pipes and one-time investments are not enough, because without daily and consistent maintenance, the same problems will arise again. He recalled his visits to villages, when people, abandoning water meters and the centralized network, used filters covered with thick silt in their daily life.

In order to ensure the safety and normal operation of the system in the long term, it is necessary to be guided by international standards. According to the head of the government, this implies a logical inclusion of risk management and daily service costs in the tariff. The Prime Minister summarized that the state and the society should face this reality and go for systemic solutions.

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