CARE 4 SEVAN Consequences

Consequences of the Problems Health – epidemic diseases Health – epidemic diseases Economy 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 44% live in poverty Greater than 15% in utter poverty less than $1 per day 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 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.) 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 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 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 The lack of sewage system in rural areas (more than 80%) has attributed to drinking water contamination Neglected sanitation sector has caused diseases Neglected sanitation sector has caused diseases

Problems & Consequences Sewage Problems: 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: 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) No pathogenic microorganisms (Shigella and Salmonella) Extremely unfavorable levels of coliform bacteria exceeding standards in rivers Hrazdan, Gavaraget, Masrik, and Argichi 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 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 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 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

Decline in fishery Winter Bakhtak (Salmo Ishkhan ) Winter Bakhtak (Salmo Ishkhan ) which previously made up 30% of Sevan trout stocks, has now practically disappeared Bojak (S. Ishkhan danilewskii) Bojak (S. Ishkhan danilewskii) is also rarely found now. Spawning of summer Bakhtak (S. Ishkhan aestivalis) 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) Gegharkuni (S. Ishkhan gegarkuni) currently maintained through artificial breeding. Sevan beghlou (Barbus lacerta goktschaicus) 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 Loss of original spawning grounds on the lake shore and at the river mouth Changes of substrate quality in the new shore belt Changes of substrate quality in the new shore belt Changes in macrophytes population linked to spawning Changes in macrophytes population linked to spawning Higher summer temperature of water during spawning Higher summer temperature of water during spawning Overfishing with monofilament nets, and poaching Overfishing with monofilament nets, and poaching Lack of efficiency of artificial reproduction Lack of efficiency of artificial reproduction Competition between ishkhan and introduction of exotic fish species Competition between ishkhan and introduction of exotic fish species