At a press conference on July 24, Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan highlighted the issue of insufficient investment in the city's drainage system. He attributed recent flooding in the capital's streets after heavy rains to this problem.
Avinyan pointed out that the maintenance and operation of the drainage gutters are the responsibility of Veolia Djur, a subsidiary of the French company Veolia Generale des Eaux. However, due to the current contractual conditions, the company is not making adequate investments in the infrastructure.
"Under the contractual realities in which Veolia Djur operates, investments are not being made sufficiently," the mayor explained.
To address the issue, city authorities have initiated an inventory process of the capital's stormwater system. Additionally, the municipality has proposed to the government to review the contract with Veolia Djur, to enable both the city and the company to make significant investments in the water systems.
"In fact, these processes are being discussed, and I am confident that we will have solutions this year," Avinyan concluded, expressing optimism about a swift resolution of the situation.
Veolia Djur CJSC, a subsidiary of the French company Veolia Generale des Eaux, is the sole operator of water supply and sewerage in Yerevan and some regions of Armenia. Since early 2017, Veolia Djur has taken over the assets of five water utilities: Yerevan Djur, as well as Armvodokanal, Shirak Vodokanal, Lori Vodokanal, and Nor Akunk. Thus, the company has consolidated a significant portion of the country's water supply system under its control.
