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City Hall has carried out another round of cleaning work at Yerevan Lake.
City officials said that the cleaning of shoreline areas is carried out every 15 days and that the current condition of the water basin is considered “satisfactory.”
Armen Begoyan, Director of the “Greening and Environmental Protection” municipal non-commercial organization, said that the garbage accumulations shown in videos recently circulated online refer to the section of Yerevan Lake where the Hrazdan River flows into the lake.
He said that the main surface of the lake is currently clean and its condition is satisfactory, especially considering that issues related to water levels and temperatures become more pronounced in August.
“We have managed to maintain the lake in the best possible condition during the hottest period of the year, which is also important for Yerevan, as it serves as a large water surface that helps absorb dust,” Begoyan said.
Begoyan emphasized that a significant portion of the waste accumulated along the shoreline consists of garbage thrown into the river by residents, which reaches the lake through the Hrazdan River. He urged citizens not to pollute the river and the lake, adding that the municipality will take administrative measures in cases of violations by businesses.
The municipal organization’s director noted that several years ago, during the same period in summer, Yerevan Lake would turn into a swamp-like area, whereas today it has become a recreational site visited by fishermen and residents. He added that future municipal plans include improving the condition of the lake’s other shore as well.
Addressing the lake’s greenish tint, Begoyan explained that it is caused by low water flow and high temperatures. According to him, in recent weeks, less water has entered Yerevan Lake due to water distribution for irrigation purposes, reducing water circulation and causing algae to form in shoreline areas.
“This is a temporary phenomenon. When water flow increases and the weather becomes relatively cooler, natural water circulation will be restored and the greenish layer will disappear,” he said.
City Hall plans to purchase specialized equipment that will allow mechanical cleaning of the lake’s surface and more efficiently remove accumulated waste.
He also noted that the Ministry of Health has not issued any warnings this year regarding the condition of Yerevan Lake’s water. According to Begoyan, relevant authorities regularly take water samples, and there is currently no information indicating a threat to aquatic life.
Sirarpi Haykazyan, Head of the Environmental Department of Yerevan City Hall, said that a program financed by the Asian Development Bank is being implemented to improve the Hrazdan Gorge, the Hrazdan River, and the areas surrounding Yerevan Lake, as well as to create a recreational zone.
She said that at this stage, studies are being conducted on sediment at the bottom of Yerevan Lake, algae, water quality, and the seismic stability of the dam.
The official said that wastewater from approximately 1,500 addresses is currently discharged into the Hrazdan River, which has a major impact on water quality. According to her, before creating a recreational zone, the issue of water treatment must be addressed as a priority.
For this purpose, a program to construct treatment facilities is planned to begin next year. According to preliminary estimates, around 14 treatment plants will need to be built along the Hrazdan River.
The head of the Environmental Department also said that within the next one or two months, with funding from the Asian Development Bank, Yerevan City Hall will acquire specialized equipment that will allow mechanical cleaning of the water surface and simultaneous water sampling to identify the main pollutants.