E-Governance and Smart Approaches to Water Systems Management

Speeches Shim

Wednesday, March 4, 2020
PURE Water App Presentation
USAID/Armenia

On February 20, USAID Armenia’s Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency in Water (PURE Water) project, implemented by the local NGO, the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development, hosted a workshop during which stakeholders from central and local governments, community activists, and academia convened to discuss and present newly developed online tools and applications. A highlight of the event was the presentation of the transparency portal developed through PURE Water in an effort to streamline the issuance process of water-use permits. Other applications presented will also be used for the public/clients to share feedback and/or complaints about issues with their drinking or irrigation water supply. The government representative expressed his appreciation for the new tools which provide, for the first time, an opportunity for citizens to engage directly with the government on water management.  PURE Water has worked for the past three years to raise public awareness of water issues in Armenia, and to support improved oversight and management of water systems. These efforts are striving to mitigate groundwater loss in the Ararat Valley.