CARE 4 SEVAN Consequences Consequences of the Problems

CARE 4 SEVAN Consequences

Consequences of the Problems • Health – epidemic diseases • Economy • Reduced fisherman income • Reduced income from tourism due to: – Poor sanitation – Intestinal diseases – Polluted rivers and lake

General Conditions in Gegharkunik Marz • Greater than 44% live in poverty • Greater than 15% in utter poverty less than $1 per day Source: IMF 2006, Country Report No. 06/239 • 80% rural have no access to central sewage system • Source: OECD and country report, 2004 • About 7% of all infant deaths are attributed to diarrhea related diseases in Armenia (NSS, 2006. ) • The childhood mortality is especially higher among children living in rural areas (NSS of RA, 2005)

Consequences • The collapse of water infrastructure and supply systems especially in rural communities have resulted in inadequate and often unsanitary water supply • The lack of sewage system in rural areas (more than 80%) has attributed to drinking water contamination • Neglected sanitation sector has caused diseases

Problems & Consequences • Sewage Problems: – – – Pit-latrines with hole a few meters deep Smelly and dirty Waste water (grey and black) from toilets is disposed into the open drainage channels – Usage of drainage water for irrigation – Regularly flooded during spring • Consequences: – – – High risk of soil and groundwater contamination Unhealthy condition of school toilets Children infected by parasites

Typical Conditions of School Toilets

Bacteriological Studies of Lake Sevan Basin’s Rivers • No pathogenic microorganisms (Shigella and • • Salmonella) Extremely unfavorable levels of coliform bacteria exceeding standards in rivers Hrazdan, Gavaraget, Masrik, and Argichi The highest level for E. coli was 50 times greater than established standards in the lower reaches of the River Hrazdan The spreading of antibiotic resistant bacterial isolates is associated with the risks to public health. The established high quantity of E. coli in waters of Armenia is dangerous for human and animal health World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 44 2008

Decline in fishery • Winter Bakhtak (Salmo Ishkhan) which previously made up 30% of Sevan trout stocks, has now practically disappeared • Bojak (S. Ishkhan danilewskii) is also rarely found now. • Spawning of summer Bakhtak (S. Ishkhan aestivalis) has been disrupted by: – decline in the level of Lake Sevan – damming of rivers • Gegharkuni (S. Ishkhan gegarkuni) currently maintained through artificial breeding. • Sevan beghlou (Barbus lacerta goktschaicus) these species are now listed in the Red Data Book of Armenia

Causes of Near Extinction of Ishkhan • Loss of original spawning grounds on the lake • • • shore and at the river mouth Changes of substrate quality in the new shore belt Changes in macrophytes population linked to spawning Higher summer temperature of water during spawning Overfishing with monofilament nets, and poaching Lack of efficiency of artificial reproduction Competition between ishkhan and introduction of exotic fish species