Filenews 18 August 2024 - by Vassos Vasilliou
Officials may make calls to save water and farmers chase it to the last drop and warn that their plantations are being destroyed because of the cuts implemented, but at the same time significant amounts of recycled end up in the sea.
According to official data, in the period 2020-2023, the quantities discarded at sea amounted to 8.8 million cubic meters of recycled water. If one calculates that recycled water, which has now been baptized "recoverable", costs about 80 cents per cubic meter to purify (i.e. to undergo tertiary treatment and become suitable for irrigation), then along with millions of cubic meters of water, millions of euros are dumped into the sea. Specifically, the recovery of the 8,800,000 costs more than €7 million, specifically €7,040,000.
However, not only were the above quantities discarded into the sea, but millions of other cubic meters of recoverable water are being thrown from the treatment plant of occupied Mia Milia, which serves both communities. According to updated data, almost 11 million cubic meters of recoverable water are lost every year (specifically 10,950,000 whose treatment costs about €8,760,000. The calculation is based on the 80 cents that each cubic meter of water costs to be treated. Water is lost because it has not yet been possible to set up the infrastructure for transporting water to the free areas, while at the same time the Turkish Cypriot community is not served either, since the quantities allocated to it are discharged into the river Pedieos, with most of the water ending up in the sea.
It is worth noting that the construction of the Mia Milia station began in February 1996 and was completed in February 1998 when it was put into gradual operation with the discharge of domestic sewage and then industrial waste. Of course, the station started operating gradually until it reached its current capacity, which is the daily production of 30,000 cubic meters of recoverable water. If we consider that it was upgraded and fully operational in 2013, then ten years of operation and production of recoverable water have already been completed.
However, due to disagreements regarding the passage of pipelines (the Turks did not allow them to pass through military zones), the recoverable water could not be channelled to the free areas but the problems were overcome afterwards and the relevant study was completed in 2016, so if we count 3-4 years for the implementation of the project, we can assume that by the year 2020 it could produce reclaimed water.
Roughly speaking, if we take into account the year 2020, to date about 36 million cubic metres recoverable water has been lost which was discharged into the river Pedieos and which could be used for irrigation of crops in the wider area of Athienos. The cost of this water is around €28 million which are also lost, in the sense that the cost of water purification is already paid without water being used. If we take into account that there are currently 99,631,000 cubic metres remaining in the dams, it is understood that recycling water is important.
The operating cost of Mia Milia station amounted to €230,000 per month. The plant has a production capacity of 30,000 km of wastewater per day and includes a tertiary treatment system using membrane technology. It serves the municipal areas of Nicosia, Ag. Dometiou, Engomi, parts of the municipal areas of Strovolos and Aglantzia as well as part of the occupied area of Nicosia. According to an agreement, 70% of the water produced will be distributed (if and when the necessary infrastructure is prepared) to the Greek Cypriot side and the remaining 30% will end up on the Turkish Cypriot side.
It is noted that the former Mayor of Nicosia, Mr. Constantinos Yiorkadjis, addressed the EU by submitting a request for funding for the infrastructure for transporting water to the facilities of the two communities, securing assurances for the Union's contribution.
We contacted the Water Development Department asking for information on the management of reclaimed water from wastewater.
Regarding the quantities of recycled water available for irrigation purposes from sewerage systems throughout Cyprus, the data of the Department show that the production trend is increasing.
>In total, approximately 106 million cubic meters of water (106.1 million) were produced since 2020, of which 25.5 million in 2020, 25.1 million in 2022, 27.3 million in 2022 and 28.2 million. in the year 2023.
>63,100,000 were allocated directly for irrigation. For groundwater enrichment, 28,400,000 were allocated. In the Ovgo River 5,800,000 were discarded while in the sea 8,800,000 were discharged.
Based on the above, it follows that approximately 60% of recoverable water is available directly for irrigation.
If it is assumed that in the next period a corresponding quantity of the year 2023 will be produced, then we will have to add another approximately 14.5 million cubic meters which will be included in the system with the creation of new wastewater treatment plants in Paralimni and Achna as well as the quantities of the Mia Milia plant. In this case, the total existing production will be around 42 million cubic meters of water.
The Water Department notes that recycled water, in addition to its use to meet irrigation needs, is also used for the enrichment of aquifers, for the irrigation of urban and peri-urban areas, for industrial use and for the irrigation of golf courses
To a question regarding the percentage of irrigation needs covered by the quantities produced, the following answer was given, which does not reflect in numbers the prevailing picture: "The exact percentage of coverage of irrigation needs nationwide by recycled water may vary depending on the annual changes in irrigation needs and the specific conditions in different areas of Cyprus. The calculation of the exact percentage depends on several factors, such as annual changes in weather conditions, local irrigation needs, the capacity and efficiency of wastewater treatment plants, and the specific agricultural activity in each area. Therefore, the coverage rate can vary significantly depending on which SRI we are looking at and local conditions."
To the question regarding the needs covered by recoverable water, the answer is the following: "The uses of recycled water in Cyprus are diverse and cover various sectors, contributing to the saving of water resources and the promotion of sustainable development".
The main uses of recycled water in Cyprus are:
1. Irrigation of agricultural crops
Irrigation of farmland is the main use of recycled water in Cyprus. This water is used to irrigate crops such as olives, vines, citrus fruits for which the use of recycled water is allowed in accordance with the Code of Good Agricultural Practice.
2. Aquifer Enrichment
Recycled water is also used to enrich underground aquifers, thus helping to replenish groundwater reserves and conserve water resources. This practice has a double utility: it not only protects and restores the aquifer, but the enriched water is then used for irrigation. In this way, it helps preserve natural water reserves, ensuring sufficient water for agricultural and other purposes, even during periods of drought.
3. Irrigation of Urban and Suburban Areas
Recycled water is used to irrigate parks, gardens, sports facilities, and other public and private green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas.
4. Industrial Use
Some industries in Cyprus use recycled water for various processes such as cooling, cleaning and other industrial applications.
5. Irrigation of golf courses
The Department reports that golf courses in Cyprus, which require large amounts of water for their maintenance, use recycled water to irrigate their lawns and various facilities.
Where does recoverable water end up in heavy rainwater?
To the question "where do the quantities of recoverable water that are not used during the winter months or other periods with heavy rainfall end up, the answer is the following:
Regarding the management of recycled water during the winter months or periods with heavy rainfall, the water is not fully used for irrigation or other uses due to reduced demand. In these periods, water is stored in winter storage tanks, dams or used to enrich aquifers. In cases of extremely high rainfall, the recycled water is discharged to natural recipients.
The discharge of recycled water into natural recipients is subject to strict environmental regulations to ensure that it does not cause pollution or damage to the ecosystem. This process requires permission from the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
To the question "whether there is a prospect of increasing the quantities of recoverable water with the promoted increase of sewerage systems and if so, how many quantities can be produced and what is their possible use", the Department answers that:
With the completion of the construction and operation of the following projects, and given that the premises located in the served settlements will be connected to the sewerage systems, it is possible to increase the quantities of reclaimed water produced, which will serve irrigation and enrichment needs.
- It is planned to expand the tertiary treatment of the Paralimni – Ayia Napa Wastewater Treatment Plant with a design capacity of an additional 10,000 m³/day.
- The start of the study for the station of Aradippou – Livadia – Pyla – Oroklini is planned.
- The Achna Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed with a design capacity of 10,644 m³/day.
- The studies will be completed and the station in Polis Chrysochous will be constructed.
- The start of the study for the station of Episkopi – Trachoni, Ypsonas, Erimi, Kolossi is planned.
- The latest answer shows that only the treatment plants in Achna and Paralimni will produce another approximately 20,000 cubic meters of water in which they will reach 7,300,000 cubic meters per year.
An important example of judicial cooperation
The Mia Milia project had a total budget of approximately €29 million and was co-funded by the Nicosia Sewerage Board (70%) and the European Union under the Assistance Programme to the Turkish Cypriot Community (30%). The project was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme under the Partnership for the Future Programme (UNDP-PFF) and is the largest implemented by UNDP-PFF in Cyprus.
The project was considered by its initiators an important example of bi-communal cooperation in Cyprus. The Nicosia Wastewater Treatment Plant started operating in 1980. In 2003 it began to face environmental problems and a decision was taken to modernize the facilities. Work on the new and state-of-the-art plant began in March 2010 while the unit entered trial operation in June 2013.
The European Union fully supported the project from the very first stages, covering all design costs and 30% of the total construction cost of the new plant.
The new plant is able to treat an average of 30,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day – equivalent to a population of 270,000 people – and this using state-of-the-art technologies (membrane bioreactors) in accordance with European Union standards. In addition, the new plant can convert the energy content of biosolids into green electricity and organic fertilizers, thus contributing to environmental sustainability and reducing the natural and environmental "footprint" due to wastewater collection and treatment on the island.
Depending on the type of crop and crop rotation system, around 500 hectares of land could be irrigated with treated water, thus reducing groundwater overflow in the area and improving water resources and water protection;
It is noted that more than 3,000 tons of dry solids suitable for use as natural fertilizer will be produced on an annual basis.
Vathy Gonia and Anthoupoli stations
The Anthoupoli Wastewater Treatment Plant, which operated in early 2008, has a capacity of 13,000 cubic meters. wastewater per day and includes a tertiary treatment system using membrane technology. It serves the municipal areas of Lakatamia, Tseri and part of the municipal area of Strovolos, while in the future it is expected to receive wastewater from some of the communities that were included in the boundaries of the Nicosia Sewerage Board with the implementation program of the European Union (Kokkinotrimithia, Paliometochos, Agios Trimithias).
The Vathia Gonia Wastewater Treatment Plant has a capacity of 22,000 km of wastewater per day and includes a tertiary treatment system using membrane technology. It serves the municipal areas of Geri, Latsia and part of the municipal areas of Aglantzia and Strovolos, while in the future it is expected to receive wastewater from some of the communities that were included in the boundaries of the Nicosia Sewerage Board with the implementation program of the European Union (Pera Chorio, Nisou, Lympia and Municipality of Dali).
