Water Project Enlivens Rural Village

Safe drinking water is taken for granted in many developed countries. However, for families in many rural Armenian villages, it is a critical need and an unaffordable luxury. Until recently, in Dalarik Village of Armavir Region, water was available in homes for only a few hours a day and only in some localities. Only people living on lower floors had water, while others had to hand-carry water in buckets from their neighbors or from near-by springs.

The village water system had been without proper maintenance for most of the post-Soviet era, and was badly deteriorated. It was a familiar story of old, worn-out pipes, with numerous leaks and corrosion everywhere. Water losses were about 80%. Water was pumped from the source, using expensive electricity. It often leaked into the ground without ever reaching the families in need. Furthermore, there was a persistent risk of cross-contamination from untreated and unsafe surface water.

Recently, the USAID Clean Energy and Water Program (CEWP), in collaboration with Nork Akunk water utility and Dalarik municipality, completed the rehabilitation of the water system to bring safe, potable water to the residents. The water service has improved from a couple of hours a day to 24/7. The water quality has also improved substantially due to the implementation of proper sanitation precautions. Households have been equipped with individual water meters so that people pay based on their actual consumption. A public awareness initiative helps inform people of the importance of water meters and timely payment of water bills. The new system also helps to conserve electricity as well as water.

The citizens of Dalarik are pleased to have fresh water easily available in their homes. And for the first time in many years they could truly enjoy Vardavar – a traditional Armenian festival where people drench each other with water on a hot summer day.

USAID awarded ME&A the task order for the USAID Clean Energy and Water Program (CEWP) in September of 2011 under the Water II Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC).