Pafos Live 27 March 2025
Emergency state aid of 8 million euros for one year to the Provincial Local Government Organizations (EDAs) and the communities with the aim of reducing losses in the water supply networks, an annual provision of 1 million euros for the three-year period 2025-2027 for the most remote areas – communities outside the EDA, a Sponsorship Scheme for the installation of small private desalination units in hotel units and a simplified licensing framework for small desalination plants up to 1,500 cubic meters approved today by the Council of Ministers, with the aim of tackling water scarcity.
In her statements at the Presidential Palace, after the Ministerial meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panagiotou, said that the Government of Nikos Christodoulides is proceeding with dedication and targeted measures to solve important problems that have been going on for a long time, such as the water system and the large losses that exist in the networks of responsibility of local authorities, which are estimated at about 35% to 40%. This, he continued, "is due to the outdated network, which unfortunately has not been properly repaired to date."
The Minister of Agriculture said that in this direction, the Council of Ministers today approved extraordinary state aid of 8 million euros for one year, aimed at reducing losses in water supply networks, noting that these amounts will come mainly from European funds.
"This decision is another targeted intervention to address water scarcity, actively supporting the EDAs and the communities that have the responsibility for the management of local water supply networks"
At the same time, Mrs. Panayiotou continued, the annual provision of 1 million euros for the three-year period 2025-2027 was approved, in order to implement similar projects in communities outside the competence of the EDCs, enhancing the water supply even in the most remote areas.
The Minister of Agriculture also said that in the context of emergency measures to address water scarcity, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture for a Sponsorship Scheme for the installation of small private desalination plants in hotel units, with the aim of covering their water supply needs without burdening government water supply systems. The total amount of support for the plan, which will be valid for two years, amounts to 3 million euros, according to Ms. Panagiotou.
"Another very important decision taken today is the very simplified licensing framework for small desalination plants up to 1,500 cubic meters," he said, adding that the simplification of procedures covers hotels, local authorities, and farmers who wish to install small desalination plants.
"Therefore, I appeal to the local authorities, who wish to install small desalination plants, to contact the Ministry, so that we can proceed with their own financing," said Ms. Panagiotou. He added that based on the new procedures, the licensing and approval of the funding will be completed within a week.
"As a Government, we are investing in solutions with a measurable footprint, supporting local infrastructure and strengthening our collective effort for sustainable and adequate water management at a time of increased pressures due to the climate crisis."
The Minister of Agriculture noted that the new decisions taken today come in addition to two very important actions that have been approved by the Council of Ministers, the National Investment Plan for Water Projects with total investments of more than 1.2 billion euros and the program of 28 actions to tackle water scarcity.
