Monitoring Visit To A “Water And Sanitation For Rural Communities” Project

On August 29 the ART paid a monitoring visit to Verin Getashen and Chkalovka communities of Gegharkunik province within the fames of its “Water and sanitation for rural communities” project financed by Norwegian Church Aid. The aim of the project is to improve sanitary situation in two villages in Gegharkunik province in Armenia through rehabilitation of drinking water systems, and ensuring their further maintenance by the communities.
Small rural communities, Verin Getashen and Chkalovka, are situated in very vulnerable areas, with multiple problems, where drinking water systems have not been repaired for decades resulting in water loss and pollution. Water, especially drinking water, is a problem throughout Armenia. In towns and cities it is available only for several hours a day. As for rural areas their problems remain more serious. In Verin Getashen and Chkalovka women carry water in buckets from faraway points. The project implementation is underway.
There are no delays or other factors affecting the natural flow of events. Provincial Water Committee is assisting in the drawings and overall monitoring of the project in both sites. Community members are organised into groups by the village mayor’s offices to participate in the construction activities. Fr. Simon from Vering Getashen himself took part in land works. Gegharkunik Diocese, together with the ART, is responsible for project implementation, and is in active collaboration with Provincial Water Committee, mayor’s offices of Verin Getashen and Chkalovka, the members of the targeted communities, the provincial government and local businesses which provide with construction materials.
In Verin Getashen (5200 inhabitants) the rehabilitation of the planned 300 metres of pipelines is nearly completed. Additionally 50 more metres are repaired at the expense of the community. The amount of water has increased in 30%, more than 80% of the total population make use of this line, that is about 4200 people. In Chkalovka (580 inhabitants) the repair work has started. It is planned to repair 500 m of corroded pipeline, and additional 200 meters will be the input of the community. One can see leakages in the street, which is the evidence of water loss and pollution. Fortunately, it will be stopped when the pipeline is fully rehabilitated.