Construction of two new desalination plants in Limassol and Famagusta was under review on Tuesday, spurred on by the prevailing drought conditions and water shortage fears. The state is committed to the full, uninterrupted provision of household water, and around 75 percent of this is usually provided by five large desalination plants in Dhekelia, Larnaca, Vasilikos, Episkopi, and Paphos, along with 24 smaller units, according to the Water Development Department’s senior engineer, Yianna Economidou.
The rest of the island’s drinking water comes from boreholes and reservoirs, which are in a dire state this summer, having fallen below 50 percent of their capacity overall. The two proposed desalination plants both have hurdles to overcome before they can materialize—one in terms of land ownership and the other in terms of zoning. The location considered for the first plant in Limassol’s industrial zone in Moni is mired in ownership complications, necessitating an alternative site. The second proposed site in Famagusta faces the challenge that all technically suitable areas, from Pyla cape to Kappari, are either protected or bathing beaches.
Current Output and Future Plans
The output of the existing desalination units is 67 million cubic meters of water, while annual demand can reach up to 106 million cubic meters. This means the current units supply only 63 percent at times. In view of these setbacks, an upgrade of the Dhekelia desalination plant, whose contract is soon to expire, is being considered. The cost for a new desalination unit is around €80 million.
Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry Andreas Gregoriou has convened a meeting with the Water Development Department (WDD) to discuss obstacles in the plans for new desalination units, as well as other plans to solve the water crisis. Long-term proposals are also being discussed, and in the event that sparse rainfall continues into the winter, the creation of two mobile desalination units is being considered.
Farmers facing a difficult summer season protested in Paphos on Monday over the fact that their irrigation water supply was cut by a third. They warned that if the situation continues, they will be forced to abandon their crops. A meeting between the Minister of Agriculture and agricultural organizations has been fixed for June 7 to discuss possible solutions.
The ministry is said to be working on a series of measures, banking on solving the problem in the long run through embarking on infrastructure projects valued at €1.17 billion. These form part of the national investment plan drawn up in February 2024, which takes into its scope the integrated planning of irrigation and water supply. Cyprus Mail has contacted the WDD and the Ministry of Agriculture for further information.
