Key messages
Armenia is a country with seasonal water stresses, which is due to the possibility of minimal water demand in the country. The annual water exploitation index (WEI) occasionally exceeds 40% (65% in 2000, 2008, 2019,2021, and in 2022, 77% ).
Seasonal stresses are mainly the result of high demand for centralized water supply in 2022-19% and agriculture in 2022-78%.
Although the total population of the country in 2000-2022 during the same period decreased by about 8.2%, the annual freshwater abstraction increased by 64%, mainly due to the development of irrigation and fish farming.
The water abstraction pressure on renewable water resources is significantly higher for surface waters in 2022. The latter accounted for 54% of the annual consumption of fresh water in the country: However, the pressure on groundwater has increased 2.7 times since 2000, (from 533 million m3 in 2000 to 1419,2 million m3 in 2022), which is due to an unprecedented increase in fishing volumes.
 |
|
Figure 1 - Development of annual water exploitation index in the Republic of Armenia (2000-2022)
Data resources:
(C1) Renewable freshwater resources by indicators and years, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
(C2) Freshwater abstraction (surface and groundwater) by indicators and years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
The WEI illustrates the level of the pressure of water abstraction on renewable water resources. Renewable water resources, overall, are under the control of climate conditions. In particular, they are affected by precipitation and actual evapotranspiration. During wet years (high precipitation and low actual evapotranspiration), the WEI would be relatively lower, while in dry years, even though water abstraction remains at the same level, the WEI would be higher.
Renewable water resources in Armenia vary greatly from year to year. In 2007, Armenia received 9 367 million m3 of renewable water resources, which was the highest annual amount between 2000 and 2022, while 2000 was the worst year, receiving only 2 873 million m3 of renewable water resources. In 2022, the amount of renewable water resources received was 3973.9 million m3, which was significantly below the annual average (6315.3 million m3) in 2000-2022.
 |
|
Figure 2 - Water abstraction by springs in the Republic of Armenia (2000-2022)
Data sources:
(C2) Freshwater abstraction (surface and groundwater) by indicators and years, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
According to the estimated WEI 2021 Water abstraction in Armenia accounted for 65.7% of total renewable water resources, which means that Armenia is facing water scarcity problems.
On the other hand, it should be noted that seasonal fluctuations in water use will be much higher.
According to 2000-2021 about 62․5% of the total water demand is met by surface water resources. Lake Sevan plays an important role in meeting the water demand, particularly for the needs of the Ararat Valley, which has a negative impact on the ecological and hydrological conditions of the lake. At the same time, water abstraction from groundwater has more than doubled since 2000. Groundwater is mainly used for drinking and fish farming purposes, (2000-UNECE).
 |
|
Figure 3 - Water abstraction by types of economic activity in the Republic of Armenia (2011-2022)
)
Data resources:
(C2-1)Freshwater abstraction by NACE and years, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
 |
|
Figure 4 - Water abstraction by types of economic activity in the Republic of Armenia (2022)
Data resources:
Freshwater abstraction by NACE and years, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
There is a demand for water two main directions of economic activity in the sectors-centralized water supply, where 2021, water abstraction is 20% of the total consumption of fresh water and agriculture, where water abstraction is 76%: The total abstraction of fresh water is only a small part (3.4%) of mining, the development of industry, in energy and others in Armenia, about 80% of arable land is irrigated (UNECE, 2000).
Nevertheless, in fish farming and fishing for agriculture, they make up the largest part of the water abstraction. On average, for agriculture 30% of fresh water consumption is accounted for fish farmers which are located in the Ararat Valley of RA region, which is located in the high water streess zone. To meet the demands of water of Ararat region, the water is moved from other pools for example: from Lake Sevan since the 1930s the water level of Lake Sevan has dropped more than 19 meters with 25.2% growth was registered in water use. The transfer of water from the Arpi River basin to Lake Sevan has become widespread. However, water abstraction from the lake for irrigation and energy is still growing.
The total population of Armenia has decreased since 2000, 3226 million becoming to 2021 becoming 2963.3 million. (Statistical Comittee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank). The total water abstraction of fresh water has increased by 58.5%. In the water supply system in 2021 losses during transportation make up 13.5% of water abstraction. Recently, with the financial support of the European Investment Bank, the Government of Armenia is implementing the Yerevan Water Supply Improvement Project to improve the water supply system in Yerevan (EBRD).
Definition of indicator
Total annual freshwater abstraction volume (surface and ground) by economic activity of all kinds, expressed as renewable freshwater share of resources, as WEI, which complies with the International Standard of Industrial Classification (ISIC).
Unit of measurement
Total freshwater abstraction and volume by type of economic activity is measured in million cubic meters (mil. m3) per year, WEI is expressed as a percent (%).
Rationale
Rationale for choosing an indicator
The indicator measures freshwater abstraction from natural sources, as well as the pressure on the environment in terms of freshwater abstraction.
Freshwater abstraction monitoring is of great importance for Armenia to conserve and improve the sustainability of renewable water resources. The indicator provides an opportunity to properly assess how Armenia implements the preservation and efficient use of natural capital.
Scientific links
Environmental economic accounts, Water accounts, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
EBRD, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Yerevan, Water Supply Improvement Project, Procurement ref:8123-IFT-43253, Project number:43253.
Environment and Natural Resources in the Republic of Armenia for 2021, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia
UNECE, 2000. Environmental Performance Review- Armenia. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Committee on Environmental Policy, Environmental Performance Reviews Series No. 10, ISBN 92-1-116775-2, New York.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Description of C2. Freshwater abstraction.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Glossary of terms – C2. Freshwater abstraction.
Context description
Context of national policy
Freshwater abstraction from surface-groundwater resources is managed by the Water Resources Management Departmen of the Ministry of Environment.
Water abstraction is regulated by the Water Code of the Republic of Armenia (04.06.2002), the RA Law «On the National Water Program of the Republic of Armenia (27.11.2006)», the RA Law «Օn Environmental Impact Assessment and Expertise (21.06.2014)», as well as by relevant decisions of the RA Government and other legislative documents.
Context of international politics
In 2018 Armenia presented its first National Voluntary Report (VNR) on the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN High Level Political Forum.
This report presents the progress and experience gained by Armenia so far in the implementation of the 2030 agenda SDG nationalization․ It also aims to address political, legal, practical and behavioral advantages, as well as obstacles and challenges in the SDG implementation process.
Undoubtedly, this process is cross-sectoral in nature, which will most likely take place beyond 2030, and will require concerted efforts and commitments at both national and international levels.
Targets
National targets
No national target was identified.
International targets
UNFPA 6, target 6.4. Until 2030 Significantly increase water use efficiency in all areas and ensure sustainable freshwater abstraction and water supply to address water scarcity and significantly reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
Policy documents
Water Code of the Republic of Armenia (adopted in 2002 on June 4).
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on the National Water Program (adopted in 2006 on November 27).
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on National Political Provisions of Water (adopted in 2005 on May 3).
SDG Implementation Voluntary National Review – Armenia. United Nations (2018).
Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies. Report for the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, Yerevan. (accessed 12 February 2019).
Sustainable Development Goals Voluntary National Review Report, Republic of Armenia (2020).
Methodology for calculating indicators
Units and equations
| ID | Component | Units | Equation |
| C2.1 | Fresh surface water abstracted | million m3 | |
| C2.2 | Fresh groundwater abstracted | million m3 | |
| C2.3 | Freshwater abstracted | million m3 | = C 2.1 + C 2.2; = C 2.4 + C 2.5 + C 2.6 + C 2.7 + C 2.8 + C 2.9 |
| C2.4 | Water supply industry (ISIC 36) | million m3 | |
| C2.5 | Households | million m3 | |
| C2.6 | Agriculture, forestry and fishing (ISIC 01-03) | million m3 | |
| C2.7 | Manufacturing (ISIC 10-33) | million m3 | |
| C2.8 | Electricity industry (ISIC 351) | million m3 | |
| C2.9 | Other economic activities | million m3 | |
| C2.10 | Renewable freshwater resources (surface) | million m3 | |
| C2.11 | WEI for surface water | percentage % | = C 2.1/C 2.10 |
Gap filling methodology
The interpolation method was used for the theoretical assessment of water abstraction by sectors.
Methodology references
EEA, 2005. EEA core set of indicators guide. EEA Technical report No 1/2005, ISBN 92-9167-757-4, Luxembourg.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Data template – C2: Freshwater abstraction.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Description of C2: Freshwater abstraction.
UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Glossary of terms – C2: Freshwater abstraction.
UNSD and UNEP, Questionnaire on Environment Statistics. United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme, Questionnaire on Environment Statistics, Section Water.
Methodological uncertainties
No methodological uncertainty was found.
Data uncertainties
Groundwater abstraction is not measured by measuring devices.
It is assessed by changes in groundwater levels.
Actual evaporation is based on estimation. There are insufficient data on groundwater outflows in neighbouring countries.
From 1990 to 2011 The methodology of the questionnaire on environmental statistics of the United Nations Statistics Unit (UNSD) was used for the calculation of indicators, and since 2011 the methodology of calculation of the environmental indicators of the United Nations EEC (UNECE).
This creates a big gap in the time series, particularly in the water supply and agriculture sectors.
Clasification of uncertainties
No uncertainty found.
Data resources:
Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Environmental Statistics of Armenia for 2020 and Time-Series of Indicators for 2016-2020, Armstatbank
Environment and Natural Resources in the Republic of Armenia for 2021, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia
Environmental economic accounts, Water accounts, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Metadata
Subject: Water
Indicator code: C2:
Tags: Water abstraction, water exploitation index, Armenia Time. 1993-2021
DPSIR. pressure
Type: descriptive indicator (class A-what is in the environment and with people)
Dates: publication date / last modified: 25/06/2024.
Update frequency։ every year
Contact persons and responsible body
Contact persons: Naira Mandalyan, Gohar Harutyunyan, Ruzanna Safaryan
Responsible: Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Short-term work
Deep wells and groundwater monitoring of water abstraction from resources implementation of the system․
Long-term work
Introduction of automatic water abstraction monitoring and measurement system.