C2 – Freshwater Abstraction

C2 – Freshwater Abstraction in the Republic of Armenia

Key Massage

From 2000 to 2024, the minimum volume of freshwater abstraction in Armenia was recorded in 2001, amounting to 1725.7 million m³, while the maximum volume was recorded in 2024, amounting to 3314.0 million m³.
Although the country's total population declined slightly between 2001 and 2024, freshwater abstraction increased by 1.9 times, driven by economic development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. Freshwater Abstraction (Surface Water and Groundwater) by Indicators and Years (2000–2024)

Data source:

(C2) Freshwater Abstraction (Surface Water and Groundwater) by Indicators and Years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, ArmStatBank

In 2024, groundwater abstraction increased by 2.3 times compared with 2000, while surface water abstraction increased by 1.6 times. Groundwater resources are strategic natural resources, and their continued overexploitation may lead to irreversible consequences.
According to the average data for 2000–2024, approximately 61% of total water demand was met by surface water resources and 39% by groundwater resources. Lake Sevan plays an important role in meeting the country's water demand, particularly by supplying water for irrigation in Ararat Valley. However, additional water releases from the lake may adversely affect its hydrological regime and ecological status.

Figure 2. Renewable Freshwater Resources, Freshwater Abstraction and WEI in Armenia by Year

Data sources:

(C1) Renewable Freshwater Resources by Indicators and Years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, ArmStatBank
(C2) Freshwater Abstraction (Surface Water and Groundwater) by Indicators and Years, Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, ArmStatBank


The relationship between freshwater abstraction and renewable freshwater resources reflects the efficiency of water resources management. It is expressed by the Water Exploitation Index (WEI). The WEI is calculated as the ratio of the total annual volume of freshwater abstraction to the volume of renewable freshwater resources, expressed as a percentage. The WEI indicates how intensively available water resources are used.
A WEI value below 20% indicates little or no pressure on water resources. A WEI value between 20% and 40% indicates a moderate level of pressure on water resources, while a value above 40% indicates that a country is experiencing water stress. This means that the country may face the following challenges:
1.    Water scarcity during droughts and dry years;
2.    Overexploitation of rivers, lakes and aquifers;
3.    Ecosystem degradation.

According to the estimated WEI, in 2024 freshwater abstraction amounted to 38% of renewable freshwater resources, indicating a moderate level of pressure on water resources. In contrast, in 2000, 2008, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022, the WEI ranged from 67% to 77%, indicating high water stress resulting from intensive use of water resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 3. Freshwater Abstraction by Type of Economic Activity in the Republic of Armenia (2011–2024)

Data source:

Freshwater abstraction by Main Types of Economic Activity (NACE) and Years, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)

From 2011 to 2024, the largest share of total freshwater abstraction was accounted for by the agriculture and forestry sector (including irrigation and fish farming).
In 2024, compared with 2011, the volume of freshwater abstraction in this sector increased by 1.5 times, which may be due to the development of the fish farming sector, as well as changes in the volume of agricultural production and increased demand for irrigation water.
The centralized water supply sector ranked second in terms of the volume of water abstraction. Compared with 2011, the share the centralized water supply sector in total freshwater abstraction increased in 2024, indicating growing demand for water supply from both the population and the economy.

 

Economic activity Water abstraction (million m3)
Agriculture,forestry and fishing 2523.3
Mining, quarring and consruction 72.4
Electricity, gas,steam and air conditioning supply 17.2
Water supply/water collection, treatment and supply/ 643.5

Figure 4. Freshwater Abstraction by Type of Economic Activity in the Republic of Armenia (2024)

Data source:

(C2)Freshwater abstraction by NACE and Years, Statistical Committee of the Rebublic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)

A large demand for water arises in two main sectors of economic activity: in centralized water supply, where the amount of water supplied to the network in 2024 was 15.8% of the total freshwater abstraction, and in agriculture, where the amount was 66.8%. Mining, manufacturing, energy and other sectors account for only a small portion of total freshwater abstraction (3%).  In Armenia, about 80% of arable land is irrigated (UNECE, 2000).
However, fish farming and fishing account for the largest share of water abstraction for agriculture. On average, 30% of freshwater abstraction for agriculture goes to fish farms, which are mainly located in Ararat Region of the RA, which is under high water stress.
To meet the demands of water of Ararat Region, the water is transferred from other basins, for example from Lake Sevan. Since the 1930s the water level of Lake Sevan has dropped more than 19 meters and 25.2% growth has been registered in water use. Inter-basin water transfer from the Arpi River basin to Lake Sevan has become widespread. However, water abstraction from the lake for irrigation and energy production purposes is still increasing.
The total population of Armenia has decreased from 3226.9 million in 2000 to 2991.2 million in 2024 (Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)). During the same period, total freshwater abstraction has increased by 56.5%.
In the water supply system in 2024 losses during water transfer make up 22.4% of water abstraction.  Recently, with the financial support of the European Investment Bank, the Government of Armenia is implementing Yerevan Water Supply Improvement Project to improve the water supply system in Yerevan (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD).

Indicator Definition

Total volume of freshwater abstraction (surface water and groundwater), including freshwater abstraction by type of economic activity, as well as the ratio of this volume to the total volume of renewable freshwater resources, expressed as the Water Exploitation Index (WEI).

Unit of Measurement

Freshwater abstraction – million m³/year
WEI – %

Rationale

Rationale for Indicator Selection

The indicator enables the assessment of freshwater abstraction from natural sources, as well as the resulting pressure on the environment. It is therefore considered an effective tool for the sustainable management and planning of water resources.

References

Context Description

National Policy Context 

This Code regulates water relations in the field of the use, protection and development of water resources for the purpose of guaranteed, adequate and safe water supply for the population, environmental protection and rational development of the country's water fund.

The Resolution establishes the general requirements for the content of water basin management plans and describes the information they should contain to serve as effective tools for water resources management.

  • Law of the Republic of Armenia N276-Ն (adopted on 14 December 2001) "On Approval of Annual and Comprehensive Programmes of Measures for the Restoration, Conservation, Reproduction and Use of the Lake Sevan Ecosystem"

Defines annual and long-term state programmes of measures for the protection and restoration of Lake Sevan. The Law provides for the sustainable management of the lake's water resources, the maintenance of its water level and ecological condition, as well as the establishment of the maximum annual volume of water releases from Lake Sevan.

International Targets

  • UN SDG 6.4.2 – Level of Water Stress: Freshwater Withdrawal as a Proportion of Available Freshwater Resources

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable freshwater withdrawal and supply to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.

Indicator Calculation Methodology

Measurement Units and Equations

ID Component Measurement Unit Equation
C2.1 Freshwater Surface Water Abstraction million m3  
C2.2 Freshwater Groundwater Abstraction million m3  
C2.3 Freshwater Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply (ISIC 35) 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 (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, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply (ISIC 35) million m3  
C2.9 Other Economic Activities million m3  
C2.10 Renewable Freshwater Resources (Surface Water) million m3  
C2.11 Surface Water WEI % = C 2.1/C 2.10*100

Gap-Filling Methodology

The interpolation method was used for the theoretical assessment of water abstraction by sectors

Methodology References

  • 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.

Methodological Uncertainties

No methodological uncertainties have been identified.

Data Uncertainties

Groundwater abstraction is not measured using metering devices and is estimated based on changes in groundwater levels.
Actual evaporation is based on estimation. There are insufficient data on groundwater inflows from neighbouring countries and groundwater outflows to neighbouring countries.
From 1990 to 2011, the UNSD Questionnaire on Environmental Statistics methodology was used to calculate the indicator. From 2011 onwards, the UNECE Environmental Indicators Calculation methodology has been applied. This has resulted in a significant break in the time series, particularly for the water supply and agriculture sectors.