Concept Paper On The New System Of Surface Water Quality Standards In Armenia

The legislation that regulates the protection of water resources in Armenia is quite advanced, if compared with the other countries of the region, and more directed to harmonization with international standards. The current system of surface water quality standards in Armenia is based on the RA Water Legislation, which includes the RA Water Code and the RA Law on Water Resources Management. The RA Water Code defines the principles and procedures for the protection and use of water resources, including the establishment of surface water quality standards. The RA Law on Water Resources Management provides a framework for the management of water resources, including the regulation of surface water quality. The current system of surface water quality standards in Armenia is based on the RA Water Code and the RA Law on Water Resources Management. The RA Water Code establishes a system of surface water quality standards, which includes maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) for various pollutants. The MPCs are set based on the best available technologies (BAT) and are intended to protect human health and the environment. The RA Law on Water Resources Management requires that surface water quality standards be established and enforced by the Ministry of Nature Protection. The current system of surface water quality standards in Armenia has several conceptual weaknesses. One of the main weaknesses is the lack of a clear and comprehensive framework for the assessment and classification of surface waters. The RA Water Code and the RA Law on Water Resources Management provide some guidance on the assessment and classification of surface waters, but the framework is not well-defined and is not consistently applied. Another weakness of the current system is the lack of harmonization with international standards. The RA Water Code and the RA Law on Water Resources Management are based on the principles of the European Union's Water Framework Directive (WFD), but the implementation of the WFD in Armenia is not well-coordinated and is not consistent with international best practices. The Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia has recognized the need to develop a new system of surface water quality standards that is more comprehensive and harmonized with international standards. The new system should include a clear and comprehensive framework for the assessment and classification of surface waters, as well as a set of surface water quality standards that are based on the best available technologies (BAT) and are intended to protect human health and the environment. The new system of surface water quality standards should also be based on the principles of the European Union's Water Framework Directive (WFD), which requires that surface water quality standards be established and enforced by the Ministry of Nature Protection. The new system should also include a set of indicators and monitoring requirements that are consistent with international best practices. The development of a new system of surface water quality standards in Armenia requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that involves the Ministry of Nature Protection, other government agencies, and stakeholders. The new system should be based on the best available technologies (BAT) and should be intended to protect human health and the environment.