Armenia’s Ararat Valley, known as the heart of the country’s agricultural production, is facing a severe water scarcity issue. Groundwater levels in the valley’s artesian aquifer have diminished by approximately two-thirds since the early 1980s, according to measurements conducted by scientists. This dramatic decline can be attributed, in large part, to the rapid expansion of the fish farming industry in the region.
More than 200 aquaculture sites are responsible for consuming over half of the region’s annual groundwater supply. Unfortunately, these fish farms have exceeded the aquifer’s capacity to replenish itself, leading to significant over-extraction of water from underground reserves. Lenient permitting practices allowed the fish farming industry to flourish in the Ararat Valley.
The situation is further exacerbated by climate change, as the Ararat Valley receives less than one foot of rainfall annually. Predictions indicate that the valley is likely to become even drier, with an anticipated 8 percent decline in precipitation by the end of the century. Additionally, the region’s snowpack is melting earlier in the year, causing unpredictability in the basin’s regeneration timeframe. This unpredictability poses a significant challenge for farmers who rely on this water for irrigation.
Moreover, not all fish farmers in the Ararat Valley employ eco-friendly harvesting methods. While some farmers reoxygenate and recycle their water for future use, others have reportedly been draining their tanks into the Aras River, thereby polluting the riparian ecosystem with nitrogen.
This water scarcity issue in the Ararat Valley underscores the urgency of addressing both unsustainable water management practices and the impacts of climate change to ensure the region’s long-term sustainability and agricultural viability. It is a stark reminder of the interconnected challenges that Armenia faces in managing its natural resources and adapting to a changing climate.