C5 – Water supply industry and population connected to water supply industry in the Republic of Armenia
Key messages
In 2023, the majority of the population of Armenia (95%) was connected to the centralized and local water supply industry.
Losses during transport of the water supply industry increased by 26.4% in 2000-2009, but decreased by 21% in 2010-2023, due to improvements in the state water supply industry. In 2023, they accounted for 69% of the total water supply.
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Figure 1- The share of population connected to centralized water supply industry (2000-2023)
Data sources:
(C6) Population connected to public water supply by indicators and years, Statistical Committee of the RA (ArmStatBank)
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Figure 2 - Net freshwater supplied to consumers by water supply industry and water losses during transport (2000-2023)
Data sources:
(C5) Centralized water supply industry by purposes and years, Statistical Committee of the RA (ArmStatBank)
(C7) Water losses by NACE and years Statistical Committee of the RA (ArmStatBank)
The water supply industry is designed to provide the population with drinking-quality water.
In 2023, the volume of water supplied to the network by the centralized water supply industry in Armenia amounted to about 533.1 million m3, of which 367.6 million m3 or 69% of the water supplied to the network were losses.
According to recent UNECE estimates and statistical records, about 80% of the water supply pipelines are more than 10 years old and 55% are more than 20 years old. The number of water supply disruptions increased regularly (UNECE, 2000).
However, since 2009, as a result of the implementation of the RA Government’s water management improvement strategy, the share of the population connected to the water supply network increased, reaching 95% in 2023, with a greater attention given to rural areas.
However, water losses in the network are still incredibly high and put pressure on renewable water resources. The total population decreased by 8.9% between 2000 and 2023. At the same time, the total water supplied to consumers by the water supply industry also decreased, by 19% in 2023 compared to 2000.
Despite this, water losses have steadily and proportionally increased due to the current state of the network. For example, in 2000, losses amounted to about 66% of the total water supply, in 2023, losses increased to 69%. The high level and increasing trend of water losses during transport in Armenia do not seem sustainable in the long term.
Indicator definition
This indicator represents the volume of water supplied to consumers by the water supply industry, accounting for water transit losses and the population connected to the water supply industry.
Unit of measurement
The total volume of water supplied by a water supply industry is measured in million cubic meters per year. The share of the total population connected to the water supply industry is expressed as a percentage of the total population.
Rationale
Rationale for the selection of the indicator
The indicator is important for determining the level of development of water services, meeting the needs of the population, and determining the level of water availability. The indicator also helps identify trends in the water supply sector.
Scientific references
- Physical flows of water use and water supply by years, indicators, types and groups of economic activities, Statistical Committee of the RA (ArmStatBank)
- 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 C5: Water supply industry and population connected to water supply industry.
- UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Glossary of terms – C5: Water supply industry and population connected to water supply industry.
Context description
National policy context
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Fundamental Provisions of the National Water Policy is aimed at meeting the basic needs of the population, preserving and using renewable water resources, and ensuring the amount of water necessary to reduce and prevent diseases. In that context, the main target is to meet the daily and household water requirements of the population.
The Progressive Development Strategic Programme of the Republic of Armenia for 2014-2025 aims to increase the reliability and efficiency of the operation of drinking water supply and sewage systems, reduce water losses, and improve the quality of water and wastewater services.
International policy context
SDG 6 seeks to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all, focusing on the sustainable management of water resources, wastewater and ecosystems, and acknowledging the importance of an enabling environment. SDG 6 target 6.1 aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. SDG 6 target 6.4 aims to significantly increase water-use efficiency in all sectors and ensure sustainable freshwater abstraction and water supply to address water scarcity and significantly reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity by 2030.
National targets
No national targets have been identified.
International targets
By 2030, significantly increase water-use efficiency in all sectors and ensure sustainable freshwater abstraction and water supply to address water scarcity and significantly reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
Policy-related documents
- Appendix to the Decision N442-Ն of the RA Government ( 27 March, 2014) on approving the Progressive Development Strategic Programme of the Republic of Armenia for 2014-2025 and repealing the Decision N1207-Ն of the RA Government (30 October, 2008)
- Water Code of the Republic of Armenia (adopted on 4 June, 2002)
- The Law of the Republic of Armenia on the National Water Programme (adopted on 27 November, 2006)
- The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Fundamentals of the National Water Policy (adopted on 27 May, 2005)
- Sustainable Development Goals. UN (2016). Sustainable development goals, the sustainable development agenda.
Methodology for indicator calculation
Note: Net volume of water supplied by water supply industry = gross volume of water supplied by water supply industry - losses during transport.
Units and equations
| ID | Component | Units | Equation |
| C5.1 | Gross volume of water supplied by water supply industry (ISIC 36) | million m3/year | |
| C5.2 | Losses during transport (ISIC 36) | million m3/year | |
| C5.3 | Net volume of water supplied by water supply industry (ISIC 36) | million m3/year | = C 5.1 - C 5.2 |
| C4.8 | Total population of the country | million people | |
| C5.4 | Population connected to water supply industry (estimation) | million people | |
| C5.5 | Population connected to water supply industry | percentage (%) | = C 5.4/C 4.8 |
Gap-filling methodology
The data on population connected to the water supply industry (%) are estimated based on the results of the 2017 Integrated Living Conditions Survey (annual publication), produced by the Household Survey Department of the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank, 2017).
Methodology references
- Quality Declaration: Household's Integrated Living Conditions Survey Tools
- 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 – C5: Water supply industry and population connected to water supply industry.
- UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Description of C5: Water supply industry and population connected to water supply industry
- UNECE, 2018. Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, Glossary of terms – C5: Water supply industry and population connected to water supply industry.
- UNSD and UNEP, 2013. Questionnaire 2013 on Environment Statistics. United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme, Questionnaire 2013 on Environment Statistics, Section Water.
Methodological uncertainties
No uncertainties have been identified.
Data uncertainties
No uncertainties have been identified.
Clarification of uncertainties
No uncertainties have been identified.
- Household’s Integrated Living Conditions Survey Tools, Statistical Committee of the RA
- (C5) Public water supply by purpose and years, Statistical Committee of the RA (ArmStatBank)
- (C6) Population connected to public water supply by indicators and years, Statistical Committee of the RA (ArmStatBank)
- (C7) Water losses, Statistical Committee of the RA (ArmStatBank)
Metadata
Topic: Water
Indicator code: C5
Tags: Water abstraction, water exploitation index, Armenia
Time period: 2000-2023
DPSIR: Pressure
Type: Descriptive indicator (class A – what is happening to the environment and people)
Dates: Publication date/Last modified: 10.03.2025
Frequency of updates: Every year
Contact persons and responsible body
Contact persons: Naira Mandalyan, Gohar Harutyunyan, Ruzanna Safaryan
Responsible: Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia (ArmStatBank)
Ministry of the Environment of the RA
Short-term work
No short-term works have been mentioned.
Long-term work
No long-term works have been mentioned.