Safe drinking water for Dzoraghbyur

In Armenia rural communities lack access to safe sanitation and drinking water due to demolishing of existing old infrastructure of water and sanitation systems. The most important problem of the poor quality of the drinking water in the village of Dzoraghbyur is its microbial contamination. In 2008 an AWHHE survey revealed insufficient awareness among the population about the link between the quality of drinking water and human health.
AWHHE also realised that solving the problems related to the link of drinking water, sanitation and human health requires combined efforts of the community, different local and government structures, NGO's and the private sector. AWHHE has reached an agreement with these key actors on their involvement and commitment. Direct beneficiaries are the local people (2100) involved in the project implementation process through general meetings and the awareness campaign.

Goals overview

The goal is to ensure access to safe drinking water in the village of Dzoraghbyur. Secondly to increase awareness of the local community, about water supply management and health risks connected with water contamination. Finally to contribute to living of healthier lives for the 2100 inhabitants of Dzoraghbyur after the provision of safe drinking water and the awareness raising campaign.

Current status

Dzoraghbyur community (2100 inhabitants) has suffered from using poor quality untreated drinking water for years. Water-supply of the village comes from “Yatagh”and “Mets Aghbyur” local springs, using 3 pumping stations. Water from 2 springs continuously has microbial contamination. Water intake facilities are not properly protected and do not meet sanitary and hygienic requirements. The Yatagh pumping station needs to be protected. Two of the pumping stations need renewal as well as central piping systems.
There is no central sewage system and the septic tanks and pits contribute to the contamination of ground, surface, irrigation and drinking water. In 2008 a AWHHE survey revealed insufficient awareness among the population about the link between the quality of drinking water and human health. The project will be jointly implemented by AWHHE (Euro 6978) , Water Committee, Municipality (Euro 1712), Ministries, NGO's and private sector.

Project plan

Women are working as equal partners in all the phases of the project (from the problem identification, the selection and implementation of the preferred solution, training, operation and maintenance). This will guarantee the ownership and enhance the sustainability of the project. The capacity development of women, during this process of working as equal partners, will not only benefit the women but also their families and community as a whole.

In the planned activities of design, operation and maintenance of the systems the women and men will be integrated in an active way, designing the workshops with a separate exercise as a mechanism to give women and men the opportunity to express their preferences freely.

Women will gain more time to spend on productive activities, and girls more time for education and both will be less prone to health risks related to using contaminated drinking water.

Expected outcomes

• Two water pumping stations and piping renewed
• One pumping station will be protected and managed
• Information campaign about water, hygiene, sanitation and he
• Increased awareness: water supply management & health
• Increased awareness: water contamination & health risks

AWHHE is the responsible organization for the project implementation, timely reporting and monitoring. The mayor of Dzoraghbyur is responsible for the management, supervision and technical input.

For the successful implementation of the project AWHHE will cooperate with national NGOs, Water Committee of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Nature Protection. They will help to organize the construction works (consultations, selection of Construction Company, control and monitoring of construction).

The community of Dzoraghbyur will be asked to make a contribution of 5% of the total sum of the water supply system renovation. A stronger sense of ownership of the community will encourage the people to better services instead of just being supplied without their involvement and resource commitment.
After the project implementation the Mayor of the village will organize maintenance and operation. The Council of Dzoraghbyur, the elected representatives of the villagers, will participate in the discussions and decision-making processes in close cooperation with the prefecture.
Private organization “Jinj” will do all water supply system designs and calculations.

Another key component is that the community will be in charge of the operation and maintenance to sustain the project.

Local authorities will collect fees according to tariffs which will be used for operation and maintenance.

AWHHE will conduct a pre and post survey to assess levels of awareness and understanding of water related issues will be conducted among 300 respondents. The survey data will be analysed, compared and publicised.

AWHHE will continue to work in the same village and monitor water supply and the quality of drinking water in Dzoraghbyur.