The complete dependence of the water supply of large urban centers and coastal areas on desalination, leads the state, in a year like this year, with very low water inflow to the dams, to cover as many needs as possible from the five desalination plants operating in Cyprus.

The total production of all five units can contribute up to 280,000 cubic meters of water per day. The cost of purchasing water from the desalination plants in the previous six years amounted to €460 million. For 2022, the cost amounted to €88.7 million plus VAT, and represents the value of 53 million cubic meters of water. Essentially, the contribution of desalinated water to water supply covered 53%.

Compared to 2021, both the total production of desalinated water and the total cost were much lower, although the contribution was approximately at the same levels and covered 52.2%. Specifically, in 2021, €52.6 million was spent on the purchase of desalinated water for 48.8 million cubic meters of water. The above amounts include the cost of non-produced water. It is noted that the Water Development Department is obliged to pay the cost of reserve of the units, where the cost is less than €0.20 per cubic meter for the three units, except for Vasilikos and Limassol where the cost exceeds €0.30 per cubic meter.

The lowest cost paid by the state for reserve is at the Larnaka desalinated water plant. In this unit the cost amounts to €0.0651 per cubic meter of water, while the production of desalinated water costs €1.0367 per cubic meter.

The operation of the Vasilikos unit costs €1.7351 and if placed in reserve €0.3605. In the Limassol desalination plant we find the most expensive water when the unit is in reserve and costs €0.3963 per cubic meter, while the unit in operation costs €1.6563. At the same time, the Pafos plant in reserve costs €0.1309 cubic meters and in operation €1.3044 cubic meters.

For 2023, it has been decided to allocate 103 million cubic meters of water for water supply and 57 million cubic meters of water for irrigation. To meet demand, the 1.2 million people in Cyprus, ie the population of Cyprus, and 3 to 4 million of tourists, need 60 million cubic meters of water, while in 2022 the consumption of desalinated water reached 52.7 million.

Additional appropriations of €59 million are required for this purpose in order to meet the needs of desalinated water.  37 million will also be used for water supply purposes from dams, compared to 42.2 million. in 2022. As far as drilling is concerned, 6 million is needed. For the areas supplied with water by the Single Southern Pipeline Plan, 87 million is required. in total, while for the Pafos project  16 million.

The coverage of water needs for water supply from government water works by 100% and at the same time the provision of quantities of water for irrigation that the Water Development Department considers satisfactory, in order to serve agricultural needs and at the same time preserve sufficient quantities of water in the dams, so that there is relative sufficiency for the next two years at least, is approved by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture.

The decision concerns the allocation of 103 million m² of water for water supply and 57 million. mm. of water for irrigation. Essentially, the Council of Ministers adopted the WDD's recommendation to the Water Management Advisory Committee (SEDY).

According to WDD data, rainfall for the period 1/10/2022 to 12/4/2023 reached 389.9 millimeters or 83% of normal rainfall. By April 2023, the total water inflow to the major dams reached 42 million. while on 12/4/2023, the total reserves in the large dams had reached 200.7 million. m.m. or  69% of their occupancy.

Irrigation will require 35 million cubic meters of water for the areas covered by the ESNA, 14 million cubic meters of water for the areas covered by the ESNA.   In total, 41.4 million will be allocated for irrigation. of the dams, 9.6 million from boreholes and  6 million recycled water.

Last year, 2.3 million were granted for irrigation and quantities from the wastewater treatment plants of Vathia Gonia, Larnaka 2.2 million, Anthoupoli 0.4 million. and from the sewerage boards of Paralimni and Ayia Napa 1.6 million. and 0.9 million, respectively. This brings the total amount of recycled water supplied in the year to 13.2 million. mm. of water.

How water from dams is shared

For the areas supplied with water by the Southern Pipeline Unified Plan (ESNA), the water reserves in the dams on New Year's Day 2023 were 119.7 million. The dams of ESNA (Kouris, Kalavasos, Lefkara, Dipotamos, Germasogeia, Polemidia, Arminou) cover the water supply needs of all districts except Pafos. It is noted that in the period January – April 2023, the water inflow reached 22.3 million with total reserves in all seven ESNA dams reaching 142 million.

The proposed production from desalination is  57 million from ESNA, while it is noted that desalination in periods of drought produces 68 million.  2.5 million will be allocated from boreholes, while for irrigation purposes an additional 4.5 million will be pumped from boreholes. Another 6 million will come from recycled water. Therefore, the total water reserves are 212 million. Total needs are 138.7 million and it is estimated that by the end of the year there will be reserves in the dams of the South Pipeline of 73.3 million. The needs are allocated to water supply 87 million, irrigation from dams 24.5 million, irrigation from recycled / boreholes 10.5 million, enrichment of Arminos 2.3 million, evaporation 8.3 million and losses of  6.1 million.

Total dam needs will reach 2023.68 million cubic meters in of which 27.5 million for water supply, 24.5 million for irrigation, 14.4 million evaporation/losses and enrichment of Arminos 2.3 million.

The total needs of the Pafos district for 2023 are 35 million. Of which 16 million was allocated to the Structural Funds. They concern water supply and 14 million for  irrigation.  5 million is expected for evaporate and losses from dams. According to the estimate of the Water Development Department, the reserves in the dams on December 31 will be 36.2 million. An additional  3 million will be needed for water supply needs from desalination and  3.5 million from boreholes. Another 3.8 million will be used for irrigation with boreholes and recycled water. On 1 January 2023, water supplies at dams in Paphos district were 54.4 million.

INTERVENTION

Avoiding excessive consumption

With the construction of desalination plants in all districts, drinking water needs are largely ensured, especially in tourist areas, but also in urban centers. Desalination may be an expensive solution, but who forgets the water cuts of the past and the suffering of most households? Now, the problems are limited and these arise in the case of drought of a few years, mainly in mountainous areas during periods of extremely high demand where drinking water needs depend exclusively on boreholes. The fact that the nightmare of cuts is now behind us does not mean that households should not use water wisely and avoid waste.