The amount of water being supplied to the Larnaca district has been reduced, the Larnaca district government announced on Wednesday. This decision comes as part of an effort to manage the ongoing water crisis affecting the area.
Water pressure in the district’s pipes was lowered on Tuesday as authorities strive to rationalise water usage. The government has emphasised that pressure will not drop below two atmospheres (29.4 psi) at any time. These measures are critical as the island faces a particularly difficult water situation.
To further mitigate the impact of the shortages, the district government has mandated the installation of water tanks in all premises, requiring a minimum capacity of 800 litres. Should the reduced pressure lead to supply issues, property owners will be responsible for resolving them.
The call for public cooperation is clear: the government urges residents to contribute actively to water conservation efforts. A collective responsible attitude will be essential to prevent stricter measures or further cuts to the water supply.
This announcement follows a warning from agriculture ministry permanent secretary Andreas Gregoriou, who highlighted the real possibility of water cuts due to dwindling reserves. Despite projections indicating that the island will have 10 per cent less water available than needed during the summer months, the government aims to avert water cuts.
Recent statistics from the water development department reveal that the island’s reservoirs are currently only 20 per cent full, equating to just over 58 million cubic metres of water. This is a dramatic decline compared to December 2021, when reservoirs held 133 million cubic metres, representing a fullness of 45.5 per cent.
Notably, the southern conveyor supplying the Larnaca district is experiencing the most significant shortage, with reservoirs at a mere 16.9 per cent capacity, a drop from 25.4 per cent this time last year. The Achna reservoir, crucial for the southern coast, is particularly alarming, now sitting at just 2 per cent full, containing only 139,000 cubic metres of water compared to nearly 12 times that amount last year.
In comparison, reservoirs near Paphos are slightly better off at 23.4 per cent full, while those in the Polis Chrysochous area are faring better still at 29.7 per cent. The Nicosia district presents a more optimistic picture, as its reservoirs are more than twice as full as they were a year ago, currently at 47.7 per cent capacity.
The situation in Larnaca highlights the urgent need for water conservation as the island grapples with dwindling resources. The district government’s actions reflect a growing awareness and responsibility towards sustainable water management in the face of severe shortages.
