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On April 14, 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), VivaCell-MTS, and the Foundation for the Preservation of the Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) marked the completion of the water supply improvement project in Arazap village, Armavir, the press service of VivaCell-MTS reports. 

USAID Armenia Mission Director Karen Hilliard, General Manager of VivaCell-MTS Ralph Yirikian, FPWC Founder Ruben Khachatryan, Governor of Armavir Ashot Ghahramanyan, Arazap Village Mayor Manvel Harutyunyan and community members attended the celebration event. Participants then walked through the village to see the newly installed water system and the sanitary protection zone.

Rehabilitation of the water supply network in Arazap included the installation of 18.2 km of leak-free polyethylene piping, a new pump, water metering devices, and new billing software for water supply services. The project helped improve the efficiency of the water supply system by reducing water losses and contamination risks, which has led to water, energy and financial savings for Arazap. Village residents will now have access to clean water 24 hours a day instead of the former three. It is estimated that the community will save about 72,000 cubic meters of water and 30 megawatt-hour of electric energy each year. 

“It is the people living in the borderland villages that secure our borders and safeguard the rear for our soldiers. The lack of elementary conveniences makes people leave their native land. It is our duty to stand by them and support them both morally and by improving their living conditions. In this regard, there is no need to mention the vital importance of clean water. VivaCell-MTS is guided by this principle in implementing the water supply improvement project,” noted VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

USAID, VivaCell-MTS and FPWC partnered in 2014 to implement water supply projects in four villages of Armenia – Arazap and Lukashin in Armavir, and Artsvaberd and Berkaber in Tavush – to help the communities get access to potable water and improve wellbeing. Nearly 7,000 people will benefit from this assistance. VivaCell-MTS and USAID allocated AMD 70 million and AMD 60 million, respectively, for the implementation of the four projects.