In an important step to protect water resources from nitrate pollution, the Ministy of Environment of the Republic of Armenia has adopted a new decree on 18 June 2024. This decree is based on the requirements of the updated Water Code of Armenia, and aims to establish criteria for defining nitrate-vulnerable zones and the measures to be taken to reduce nitrate pollution.
Establishing criteria for identifying nitrate vulnerable zones
The decree focuses on water bodies (rivers, groundwater) used for drinking water, as well as lakes, reservoirs and rivers showing signs of eutrophication. The identification process is based on statistical analysis of observation data collected over several years, which ensures reliability. These nitrate vulnerable zones are to be re-evaluated every six years as part of the river basin management plans.
Measures to reduce nitrate pollution
To reduce nitrate pollution from agricultural activities, the decree introduces restrictions on the use of nitrogen fertilisers and the storage of livestock manure, taking into account the type of soil and slope, climatic conditions, rainfall, irrigation and agricultural practices. The measures aim at achieving a balance between the nitrogen demand of crops and the amount of nitrogen transferred to soil and water resources resulting in their pollution. The measures, adapted to the specificities of each river basin, will be decided in the framework of the development of the River Basin Management Plans.
The decree was drafted by an Armenian consultant hired and supervised by UNECE under the EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data Programme. This decree is an important step towards protecting Armenia's water resources and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.
Full decree and its annex (in Armenian): https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?docid=194277
