Description of Sevan River Basin in Armenia. Description of the key figures, characteristics and main water challenges. The river basin management plan is developed with the support of EUWI+ project. More information: http://www.euwipluseast.eu/

1. SEVAN RIVER BASIN
River basin management plan
EUWI+ supports
in Armenia
implemented by

2. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
10
 European Water Framework Directive, an
innovative approach to water protection,
 Water resource management through River
basin management plan,
 Active participation of all players concerned,
including NGOs and local communities, in
water management activities.
River Basin districts
Blue text for more information
http://www.euwipluseast.eu
million inhabitants
30
European Union Water Initiative for
Eastern Partnership EUWI+
support Water Policy Reforms
to improve Water Resources Management
with the Water Framework Directive (WFD)
6 countries
ARMENI
A
AZERBAIJA
N
REPUBLI
C
BELARU
S
GEORGIA REPUBLI
C
MOLDOV
A
UKRAIN
E

3. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
Sevan River Basin District
1/6
4,721 km2 where Lake Sevan is 1,279 km2
212 thousand inhabitants
70% in rural areas
56%
Sevan river
basin district
Armeni
a© 2018, EUWI+
total territory of Armenia,
Hrazdan River originates from the lake.
agricultural land cover,
among which 85% grassland and pastures
170 Mm3 maximum allowed annual water release from
Sevan Lake for hydropower generation and irrigation

4. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
million m3 abstracted per year
284.9 from surface water sources : 265.4 mln. m3 or 93.2%
from groundwater sources: 19.5 mln m3 or 6.8%
are drinking water losses due to the poor
condition of water supply system.
60%
Water Needs – Quantity & Quality
55%
of water monitoring sites are good quality, but all
water resources are not enough monitored
Monitoring networks of the quality
and quantity of surface and
groundwater, as well as the
frequency of observations and a list
of parameters should be revised in
accordance with the rules and
regulations of the EU Water
Framework Directive18% of all surface water bodies will have difficulty to
reach a good quality.
4 of 6 of groundwater bodies have good quality,

5. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
urban wastewater is not collected neither treated.
~73%
Mining activities in Sotk, one of the sources of non-point pollution.
Diffuse mine water impacts water quality of Sotk and Masrik Rivers due to the
high concentration of heavy metals.
Pressures - Pollution
Diffuse pollutions from agriculture
• The most cultivated lands are located in the Masrik, Gavaraget
and Argichi River Basins.
• Livestock production is centralised mainly in Masrik, Argichi,
Gavaraget and Martuni River Basins.
Fish farms are mainly located in the Gavaraget,
Karchaghbyur, Argichi and Martuni river basins.
12,634 thousand m3 total annual permitted water use for
fish farms

6. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
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Water for Aquatic life
disturbances for aquatic life, from
which:
2 due to hydromorphological
alterations in Sevan Lake (Major and
Minor Sevan)
9 due to small hydropower plants
11

7. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
Pollution of water from municipal wastewater 
absence of sewerage network in all rural
communities and in some districts of the towns.
Disturbance of aquatic life, excessive transfers of
Lake Sevan’s water through Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade
for generation of hydropower and irrigation.
Main characterizations
Water pollution by agriculture
(fertilizers, manure).
Lack of monitoring data on the
quality and quantity of water.

8. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
Water for the future – Main challenges
Improve drinking water supply and
domestic wastewater discharge
systems.
Assess the ecological status of Sevan Lake and its
watershed ecosystem with chemical, biological and
quantitative monitoring development.
Prevent surface and ground waters
pollution by domestic and agriculture
wastewater discharge.
Protect and ensure efficient use of
water resources by management
& control. Prevent the overuse of
Sevan Lake water.

9. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
The river basin in the future
Sustainable agriculture and modernized irrigation
systems
Developed tourism infrastructure with emphasis on
rural tourism
Renewable energy production and energy
efficiency enhancement
Sustainable ecosystem of the Lake Sevan

10. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
EUWI+ supports Armenian water Institutions
to elaborate and update their river basin
management plans with
 Latest EU methodologies
 Accredited equipment for laboratories
 Capacity building of experts and
stakeholders
 Knowledge transfer and regional
exchange of practices.
River Basin management Plan in Armenia
Characterisation
of the River basin
River Basin Management
Plan (RBMP)
WFD working
method
balance between Armenian regulation
and the European Water Framework
Directive,
river basin management plan = a
operative document with all
information on water, water uses,
pollution, objectives and programme of
measures

11. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
Main challenges &
work programme
WHY?
Before final decisions, encourage
the active involvement of all
interested parties in the
implementation, production,
review and updating of the river
basin management plan (RBMP).
Draft River Basin
Management Plan
including Programme
of Measures
Plan approved by
authorities and
implemented
Public involvement - You are concerned as well!
2019
2020-
2026
2020
2026-
2032
2026
2025
every 6 yearsAll players concerned, including
authorities, NGOs, experts and
local communities, in water
management activities,
On WHAT? WHEN?WHO is consulted?

12. Sevan River basin Factsheet - Armenia
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This project is funded by
This project is co-financed by
Ministry of Nature Protection,
Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy
Armenia
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission
This project is implemented by
Action beneficiaries