The Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia (EPMIB) has conducted inspections in the Ararat and Armavir regions in relation to 969 deep wells operated without water use permits, as part of measures aimed at protecting water resources and ensuring their efficient use.

As a result:

• the operation of 146 deep wells was suspended (85 in Armavir and 61 in Ararat);
• administrative fines totaling AMD 53.1 million were imposed;
• claims for compensation for the damage caused, amounting to approximately AMD 687.4 million, were submitted;
• information on 208 deep wells was submitted to the Ministry of Environment for inclusion in the lists of wells subject to conservation and decommissioning.

At the same time, based on the results of inspections conducted at the “Yerevan” Water Users Association and the Metsamor Municipality, reports concerning cases indicating possible criminal offences were submitted to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

As a result of suspending the operation of illegally used deep wells, approximately 1,160 litres of water per second, equivalent to 15,058,816 cubic meters annually, is being conserved.

This volume is comparable to the capacity of the Geghi Reservoir in Syunik Province, which is approximately 15 million cubic meters.