The cabinet approved a comprehensive action plan to combat drought and water scarcity, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced Thursday.
The programme includes 28 actions – seven immediate, eight medium-term, and 13 long-term measures – aimed at strengthening water security and infrastructure across the island. It complements a national water infrastructure investment plan worth over 1 billion euros approved in April 2024.
The immediate and medium-term actions, targeted for 2025-2026, are expected to boost the water balance by more than 15 million cubic metres annually, representing 15% of the total water supplied by WDD for domestic use in 2023.
Key immediate measures include:
- Utilisation of four boreholes for irrigation
- Installation of mobile desalination units at four locations
- Increased production from the Dhekelia desalination plant
- Network loss reduction initiatives
- Public awareness campaigns on water conservation
Medium-term actions through 2026 include:
- Water network upgrades with smart meters
- Revision of water pricing policy
- Promotion of private desalination for agriculture and hotels
- Installation of an integrated monitoring system worth 7 million euros
Long-term measures through 2030 include expanding five existing permanent desalination plants by up to 50% and constructing two additional plants, with renewable energy integration planned for all facilities.
“Our goal is to ensure Cyprus’s resilience to climate change and improve quality of life sustainably”, Panayiotou said.
