Starting July 1, 2026, Armenia to ban dumping untreated industrial  wastewater into central sewer system

ArmInfo.  Starting July 1, 2026, the dumping of untreated industrial wastewater into the central sewer system will be prohibited. The corresponding decision was made on November 14 during a regular government session.

As stated by Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan, presenting  the draft decision, industrial wastewater that entes sewer systems  and domestic wastewater treatment plants must undergo pre-treatment  to prevent damage to the sewer systems, treatment plants, and  associated equipment, as well as to avoid interfering with the  operation of treatment plants and sludge treatment. When discharging  industrial wastewater through a centralized sewer system, the system  must have sufficient capacity. Additionally, the quality of the  wastewater must meet the discharge requirements of the wastewater  treatment system.

"Starting July 1, 2026, it will be prohibited to discharge wastewater  into the centralized sewer system without prior treatment if it does  not meet the specified requirements. Those discharging industrial  wastewater are required to carry out preliminary treatment at local  treatment facilities at their own expense," Matevosyan noted.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in turn, noted that used water should  not be returned to nature without proper treatment. "Returning any  water to nature without treatment after use is an environmental  disaster.  Therefore, we live in conditions of environmental disaster  every day and everywhere," the Prime Minister said.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, the government  is considering the reconstruction of wastewater treatment plants on  the shores of Lake Sevan (in the cities of Sevan, Gavar, and  Martuni).  And, since the work requires certain costs, the question  of water tariffs arises.