The Shadrlu canal in the Parakar community is filled with garbage
Residents living near the Shadrlu canal in the Parakar community have faced pollution issues with the canal for many years. Some houses in the area are not connected to the main sewage system, and sewage flows into the canal. According to the community administration, Parakar and Tairov villages are connected to the sewage system by 80%. The rest are not connected due to the terrain. In such cases, residents either dump sewage into the canal or dig pits near their homes to collect it. This results in pollution of both the water and soil.
The accumulation of household waste further adds to the canal’s pollution. As a result, water intended for irrigating parts of the gardens in Parakar and Tairov becomes unusable. Regular monitoring is not conducted. The canal is cleaned twice a year—in spring and winter. The community administration stated that the canal was partially cleaned this spring, while the water utility claimed it was fully cleaned in cooperation with the administration.
Residents noted that they face the same issue every year, with no changes. Due to water pollution, they barely cultivate gardens.
The shortage of trash bins in the area adds to the problem. Most bins are placed along main roads, particularly on Yerevanyan Street. Many residents have placed trash bins outside their doors. Trash is collected weekly by special vehicles, but in areas they cannot access, residents take care of waste removal themselves.
The bins were acquired based on initial necessity. In response to our inquiry, the Parakar community administration noted that bins will soon be purchased and placed in streets without them.
The canal is managed by the Ejmiatsin Water Utility. Chief engineer Karapet Ter-Khachatryan confirmed that the canal water is not suitable for irrigation.
The canal water originates from the Yerevan Lake. Clean water flows up to Argavand, but it becomes polluted beyond that point. We have reported this everywhere, but no action has been taken. Even if we clean it every month, trash will still accumulate. Increasing the number of trash bins might help, but it’s not the only issue. The sewage also heavily contaminates the canal.
In 2014, the Bio Pond was commissioned in Parakar as a wastewater treatment plant. However, it was privatized by the government in 2017 and is currently non-operational.