Filenews 30 June 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
A new era in water resources management is dawning in Cyprus, as major infrastructure projects for the reuse and storage of recycled water are progressing rapidly in key areas of the island, such as Larnaca, West and East Nicosia, Limassol and the free district of Famagusta.
The aim of these projects is to make full use of the water resulting from tertiary wastewater treatment, through the construction of dams, reservoirs and irrigation networks, so that it can be used in agriculture, especially during the summer season. In this way, the recycled water that until now was also channelled into the sea, will end up in the farmers, releasing significant quantities of fresh water to the dams, which will now be able to be utilized to meet the growing water supply needs of the population.
This strategy not only enhances the sustainability of the primary sector, but is a multidimensional response to the impacts of the climate crisis, drought and increasing water demands. At the same time, it demonstrates Cyprus' commitment to the circular water economy, reducing dependence on natural resources and increasing the island's resilience to hydrological challenges.
The importance of water reuse becomes even clearer when one considers that in 2023, 90% of the recovered water produced in Cyprus, a total of 28.2 million cubic meters, was used for irrigation or aquifer enrichment. This is the highest percentage at the level of the European Union and one of the highest in the world.
Progress in the development of critical infrastructure now allows for the maximization of the use of recycled water, minimizing losses. According to the Department of Water Development, the discharge of reclaimed water into the sea was limited to just 1.45 million cubic meters in 2023, up from 4.7 million in 2020. This progress is due to increased demand, but also to the implementation of projects in strategic areas of Cyprus.
Despite the seasonality of demand and the challenges due to drought, the strategy of the Republic of Cyprus for the integrated management of water resources focuses on meeting future needs. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment consistently continues the implementation of projects that enhance the availability of irrigation water, strengthening agricultural production and the sustainability of the primary sector.
The goal, as underlined by the Water Development Department, is to "utilize every last drop of recycled water", in full compliance with the requirements of the European Regulation 2020/741 on water reuse. Cyprus, according to the competent Department, through modern infrastructure and innovative policies, proves in practice that water recycling is not only a solution of need, but also a strategic choice of resilience and sustainability.
What is happening in Larnaca and Famagusta
In the Larnaca district, a storage dam with a capacity of 4.5 million cubic meters of water was completed in August 2023 in Tersefanou, which will operate as a winter water warehouse for use in the summer. The construction of the transmission pipeline has been in progress since the beginning of 2025 and is expected to be completed at the end of February 2027, while the implementation of the irrigation networks that will serve the wider agricultural area is expected within 2027.
As far as the free province of Famagusta is concerned, the utilization of the recovered water from the Paralimni and Ayia Napa SEL is under study. Priority is the expansion of tertiary treatment and the construction of transport infrastructure to the Sotira area, in order to strengthen the Kokkinochoria Irrigation Project. The projects are expected to be included in the implementation phase in the coming years. At this stage and until the end of 2025, it is impossible to proceed with any preparatory studies.
Ready tank in West Nicosia, delays in Eastern Nicosia
The project in West Nicosia, focusing on the Anthoupolis Wastewater Treatment Plant, aims to store and utilize the surplus amount of recycled water. To date, basic infrastructure has been completed, including a 500,000 sqm reservoir. The completion of the remaining network, including the branches to Mammari and Gerolakkos, is expected by November 2025. The creation of the necessary infrastructure is for irrigation of new crops in the areas of Deftera, Paliometocho, Agioi Trimithia, Gerolakkos and Mammari.
In East Nicosia, Phase A of the project includes the creation of storage and balancing tanks, with a total capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters and 13,000 cubic meters, respectively. The environmental investigation is ongoing, however, the process of granting a state plot has delayed the implementation. As far as the balancing tank of 13,000 sq.m. is concerned, the concession of part of the State Plot 127 (old 103), F/Sc. 31/33 to Agios Sozomenos, is still pending, even though the process has begun some time ago. This plot has also been requested by the Horse Racing Club for its own designs and by the Department of Agriculture for the creation of a Livestock Area. Although it has been mentioned in relevant correspondence that the location of this earthen tank has been chosen with purely technical and hydraulic criteria and it is not possible to relocate it and can be constructed and operated without affecting either the plans of the Horse Racing Club or the creation of a Livestock Area, it has not been possible to secure the relevant concession approval from the Department of Lands and Surveys. Phase B provides for the expansion of the irrigation network to the areas of Tseri, Pera Chorio-Nissos and Olympia.
Finally, in the wider area of Limassol, projects are being implemented to interconnect the existing infrastructure with the new West Limassol Wastewater Treatment Station (SEP), while water storage and transport projects are being planned from the Moni and Polemidia SEPs. The preparatory studies are being evaluated for future implementation, with the aim of covering irrigation needs in Eastern and Western Limassol.
