Filenews 17 August 2023 - by Despina Psillou
We pay dearly for drought and half-empty dams, as the cost for desalination exceeds €230,000 per day.
As the deputy director of the Water Development Department, Lia Georgiou, told "F", water needs in urban centers are covered by the five desalination plants that operate to their maximum extent, while the dams are also supplemented. The cost, he said, ranges from €1 and something to €1.8 per cubic meter, while 230,000 cubic meters of water are produced daily, which are utilized.
"Desalination is energy-intensive and costly," Georgiou underlined, adding that 80% of the price per cubic meter concerns the electricity required. He said that there is no possibility at this stage to reduce these costs, as these are contracts and 20-year contracts with contractors. "There are some thoughts about the possibility of photovoltaic assistance, but desalination is so energy-intensive that there may still be no noticeable reduction in price," he said.
"This year is a dry year. Nature did not help us," he said, adding that there is a very big difference in inflows compared to previous years and that not a drop has entered the dams since June. "The figures are discouraging as this year there is 21.3% less water stored compared to last year." Occupancy is at 57% with 165.8 million. cubic meters of water, while last year it was 78% to 227.5 million. m.m. of water.
"It has to become second nature to watch consumption. We must protect our water. If we exhaust it, in addition to the cost, there is a risk that homes will enjoy reduced water supplies. We need to use it properly to ensure that we always have water," Georgiou said. Besides, he said, the Water Development Department had to take measures due to the drought and the limited quantities of water in the dams. "We have reduced water quantities for irrigation needs, which relies entirely on dams."
Mrs. Georgiou appealed to citizens to be water conscious and at the same time where they detect leaks to call the Water Department and inform about the incident, so that repairs can be made as soon as possible. "We all need to cooperate," he concluded.
