Application of Biological Ponds for Domestic Wastewater Treatment
Within the framework of GEF Small Grants Program, “Country Water Partnership” NGO has been implementing “Rehabilitation of Agricultural Lands through Application of Biological Ponds for Domestic Wastewater Treatment in Parakar Community of Armavir Region” since March 1, 2010.
The project goal is reduction of agricultural lands degradation and underground water pollution in village Parakar (with 10.000 population) of the RA Armavir marz, providing at the same time sustainable use of agricultural lands, safe food for population through reconstruction of household wastewater system and construction of lagoon - type treatment plant.
Involve village Parakar population in the project implementation works. Make prerequisites for introducing this type of wastewater treatment technology in other settlements of Armenia.
The project is planned to be implemented in two stages, depending on the inter-dependence of the stages and availability of funds. 
At present the wastewater from the village is removed trough the wastewater system up to the non-operating pumping station in the center of the village (wastewater was pumped in the past to Yerevan wastewater treatment system and treated there). Afterwards, the wastewater is discharged into the open irrigation canal passing nearby the pumping station through the village (through the school yard and the residents’ farmlands) up to its south-eastern border. During the irrigation season the wastewater is mixed with the irrigation water and used for irrigation of farmlands. During non-irrigation season it flows through the village area and is infiltrated into ground.
Since during many years the irrigation canal has been almost fully filled with sediments originated from wastewater, the latter often flows out the canal to adjacent areas, making foul odor and anti-sanitary condition. The generated anti-sanitary condition is a serious danger to the adjacent houses and normal vital activity and operation of agricultural lands. Mixing of wastewater with irrigation water is unallowable, since along with worsening of qualitative indicators of lands, it can cause also food safety violation, resulting in dangerous intestinal diseases.
The most part of the community’s lands of agriculture importance is not cultivated and the main reason for it is lack of irrigation water, since the irrigation canal currently is used as wastewater collector.
To remedy the existing situation, the following has been proposed:
Construction of sewerage collector from the wastewater pumping station area to the planned wastewater treatment plant area.
Cleaning of the irrigation canal from sediments and using it with its functional importance.
Mechanical and biological treatment of the wastewater with application of technologies with less energy consumption and simple in terms of operation.Training of the treatment plant operation staff. Public awareness and formation of public attitude towards the new wastewater treatment technology.
For wastewater treatment in Parakar the option of biological lagoon has beam selected that has broad application in international practice. However, there are no such facilities in Armenia and it is an innovation for the country.
The household wastewater treatment process is planned to be implemented in several stages, depending on the stage completeness and availability of finances.
In the first stage it is planned to construct an 882m long 250mm PE wastewater collector and 17 observation chambers, implement construction works for the mechanical treatment facilities –screens, pumping station, air blowers and 5350m3 capacity first biological lagoon and 112m3 capacity sedimentation lagoon.
The household wastewater BOD5, after treatment in the two lagoons, is planned to reduce from 280mg/l to 42 mg/l.
The following outputs are anticipated upon the project completion: