VivaCell-MTS helps supply border villages with drinking water

PanARMENIAN.Net - A community event on October 22 marked the completion of the water infrastructure improvement project implemented in the border village of Artsvaberd throughout 2014-2015.

VivaCell-MTS, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) joined efforts to fulfill the project.

“Relieving the burden of rural communities and making their lives a little easier by offering solutions to vital everyday problems is our duty,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

As part of the project, Artsvaberd’s pump station, which had been out of use for around 16 years, was renovated. Two new energy efficient pumps with new metal doors and a capacity of transferring 4 liters of water per second were installed in the station coupled with interior renovation works. Also, a 7,62km water pipeline and a 4,82km internal network pipeline were constructed as part of the water supply improvement project, while a reserve pipeline with a capacity of transferring 4-5 liters of water per second and a water intake station were modernized. The 370-ton daily regulatory reservoir also underwent capital renovation to store all the water transmitted by the two water pipelines, ensuring a 24-hour water supply to the residents. In addition, all the sanitary protection zones were fenced.

The installation of water meters is currently underway to help save water and compute water usage.

The three-sided collaboration will also solve the drinking water problem in Lukashin and Arazap villages of Armavir province, and Berkaber village of Tavush province.

The project has benefitted a total of 6,800 residents in these four communities. VivaCell-MTS and USAID have allocated AMD 70 million and AMD 60 million, respectively, for the implementation of the project.