On 22 July, a formal commissioning ceremony was held for a decentralized biological wastewater treatment plant at Kindergarten N 2 in the Noratus settlement of Gegharkunik province. Constructed under the ESU4Sevan programme, the facility is designed to establish a sustainable and environmentally sound model for local wastewater management.

The system enables on-site treatment of domestic wastewater generated by the kindergarten, allowing for its safe reuse for irrigation purposes. This solution significantly enhances hygiene and sanitary conditions for the facility while providing a critical safeguard for Lake Sevan by preventing the discharge of untreated wastewater into the lake’s fragile ecosystem.

Karen Sedrakyan, the Chairman of the Water Committee, delivered welcoming remarks at the event, noting in particular:

“Such biological solutions can significantly reduce the inflow of untreated wastewater into Lake Sevan, thereby preventing eutrophication and facilitating the restoration of the natural balance of the ecosystem.”

The Chairman further noted  that these initiatives serve as a catalyst for the professional development of local self-government bodies.

“From 2030 onwards, all communities will be mandated to ensure wastewater treatment within their administrative areas. Consequently, these pilot projects can serve as technical and managerial models for communities,” Chairman Mr. Sedrakyan added.

The programme is co-financed by the European Union and the Government of Germany and is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in close cooperation with the Water Committee of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, alongside local and sectoral partners.

This facility marks the first in a series of similar solutions intended to form part of a balanced, basin-wide treatment strategy, contributing both to environmental outcomes and to institutional strengthening at the community level.