The deficit of freshwater is a global problem. The main sources of freshwater are rivers, lakes and swamps. About one-third of freshwater resources are centralized in South America; one-fourth is found in Asia. The share available to Former Soviet Union countries is slightly higher, corresponding to 20%. It is 2% only that is centralized in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

The global population grows day by day, so demand for water increases concurrently. For instance, the population of Europe is 20% of the global number, but its share of water resources is as small as 7%.

Armenia covers a small area of just 29,743 km² but has a significant resource of freshwater. In 2018, surface flow waters accounted for more than half of the total water reserve. With this generous gift of nature, year after year we have been wasting considerable quantities of water as a result of poor conservation and careless use of this valuable resource.

With the current rate of water consumption, the water resources of Armenia have been sufficient and meeting the domestic needs. It is important to note that more than 80% of the consumed water is used for irrigation, while only 5–6% is used for drinking and household purposes. 

According to some expert estimates, the water resources of Armenia will be reduced by 20-25% by the year 2050 as a consequence of climate change and decreased precipitation.

As for the direct impact of climate factors, experts have already recorded an increase in temperature by more than 1 degree, which has had inevitable effects on surface waters. Climate changes have made river basins low-water and even caused the drying of some tributaries.

The pattern observed in over-moist areas (wetlands) is different. Environmental calculations have demonstrated that wetlands in our country occupy just 10% of the area. As to swamps, they are few and they cover not more than about 0.4% of these areas. The drying of swamps is also largely determined by human factors.