Worker at a factory. (Source: Arka)

YEREVAN (Arka) — USAID is to provide $3 million to Armenia to enhance effectiveness of usage of the country’s water resources, Magda Avetisyan, the head of the USAID Program of Protection of Resources, told journalists on Wednesday.

She stated that the program that has already started will be completed in March 2019.

She said that the aim of the project is to assist the Armenian government with stable management of underground water resources in Ararat Valley.

Special emphasis will be put on collection and management of data on underground water resources, introduction of new experimental technologies, improvement of laws and cooperation with concerned parties.

Avetisyan said that $350 to 400 million is planned to be targeted on development of fish farming in Ararat Valley by introducing new technologies.

In particular, these financial resources will be spent on the enhancement of effectiveness of usage of water resources and application of renewable energy technologies.

The study conducted by USAID in 2013 and 2014 showed that underground water area in Ararat Valley has shrunk trice over a period between 1983 and 2013 to 10,706 hectares.

As a result, 31 villages were left without irrigation and drinking water from springs.

Underground water withdrawal has increased from 34.7 cubic meters-sec in 1983 to 80 cubic meters-sec in 2014 mostly to cater for fish farms’ needs, and as a result, water balance was upset.