paphos water — paphos water — Paphos district’s water supply is expected to remain stable in 2024, with officials assuring residents of no water problems next year, regardless of the weather conditions. This promise was made by Andreas Gregoriou, the undersecretary of the agriculture ministry, during the harvest festival held in the village of Panayia on Sunday.
Paphos water: Commitment to Uninterrupted Water Supply
Gregoriou outlined the ministry’s proactive measures to ensure that there will be no water cuts in the district in the coming year. “We are in the final stage. It seems that we will manage to avoid any cuts, even though we are at the beginning of the new hydrological year, because as well, we have expectations that we will have more rain than the previous dry year,” he stated.
Desalination Units to Enhance Supply
The undersecretary highlighted the ongoing construction of desalination units as a key factor in securing the district’s water supply. He expressed confidence that these developments would ensure a reliable source of water, stating, “with the desalination units which are under construction, we will be able to say from now on, regardless of the weather conditions, that there will be no problem with the Paphos district’s water supply.”
A Long-Term Solution for Water Scarcity
Gregoriou went on to say, “Therefore, Paphos’ water problem can be considered solved for 2026 as well.” His remarks reflect a broader strategy to address water scarcity in the region, which has faced challenges in recent years.
Local Officials Weigh In
Charalambos Pittokopitis, the governor of the Paphos district, echoed Gregoriou’s sentiments during the festival. He noted that the district’s water supply has been maintained “under very difficult conditions.” He emphasised the importance of the newly installed mobile desalination unit near Potima beach in Kissonerga, which is expected to produce 12,000 cubic metres of water.
Restoration of Existing Resources
Pittokopitis also mentioned the return of the desalination unit that was previously damaged by fire in Kouklia. He confidently declared, “I can state with certainty that the water issue regarding drinking water in both the town and in the district of Paphos has been resolved.”
Recent Developments in Water Management
Last month, the Potima beach desalination unit was launched, although Charis Kasioulis, the Paphos district engineer from the water development department, noted that the current flow of water into the district’s reservoirs remains “negligible.” He provided updates on the Mavrokolympos reservoir, which was drained in January for repairs, stating that studies have been completed. Work to fix the corroded vent is expected to be finished before the winter season.
Mobile Desalination Units Boost Capacity
The water development department recently announced that 12 mobile desalination units imported from the United Arab Emirates are now operational, with an additional unit set to enter service soon. These units are seen as crucial in strengthening Cyprus’s water supply, particularly in light of prolonged drought conditions.
Government Assurance on Future Water Supply
The implementation of measures to combat water scarcity is progressing rapidly. The government has indicated that more mobile desalination units will be imported next year, further solidifying the district’s water security. Acting water development department director George Kazantzis highlighted the complexity of the installation process for these units, which began service in July.
Strategic Water Distribution
Kazantzis also explained that any water surplus not needed by consumers in the Limassol district will be redirected to the southern conveyor, supplying Nicosia, Larnaca, and Famagusta districts, which are currently reliant on the Kouris reservoir.
International Collaboration for Water Security
The arrival of the desalination units was initially announced by President Nikos Christodoulides in April. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis later assured the public that there would be “no risk” of water cuts in Cyprus this summer due to the anticipated arrival of these units. Christodoulides underscored that the units would be provided “free of charge,” reflecting the significance of international relations in addressing domestic challenges.
