Swimming Allowed, Drinking Not: Ministry of Health's View on Lake Sevan

The water of Lake Sevan is cleaner than that of many other places, but it is not drinkable and cannot be considered as such. Today, in the National Assembly, Nune Bakunts, Deputy Director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, addressed various promotional actions taking place in the lake in recent days.

“I simply ask you not to call for drinking the water of Sevan, claiming there is no danger. One or two people who live there and are accustomed to that flora, or have a strong immune system, might drink it without any issues, but unprepared individuals, tourists, may come, drink the water, and get sick,” Bakunts stated.

She also noted that depending on the concentrations of toxins in the water, people could develop skin rashes, asthmatic attacks, or allergic shock. Hepatotoxins accumulate in the liver, leading to impaired liver function.

Bakunts further mentioned that the Ministry of Health continuously monitors the water of the lake, and if any dangers are detected, they will inform the public.

Regarding swimming in the lake, the official assured that recent research has shown it to be safe for swimming. “We announced three days ago that there is currently no contamination at any beach. But whether we like it or not, we must accept that the lake is a living organism, the algae are also living organisms, and the situation can change,” the Ministry representative said.

It is worth recalling that a working discussion on “The Problems of Lake Sevan and Ways to Solve Them” was initiated in the National Assembly by the Prosperous Armenia parliamentary faction. During a protest held on July 15 this year, owners of establishments along the shore of Sevan dramatically drank water from the lake as evidence that it was not dangerous.