Pafos Live 11 August 2025
By August 6, 12 of the 13 desalination plants granted to Cyprus by the United Arab Emirates were operational, while the latter will soon be put into operation, the Water Development Department said in a statement on Sunday.
In a statement, the Department assures that the implementation of the measures to deal with water scarcity is progressing rapidly, noting that mobile desalination units are already in operation, while new ones are coming by 2026, to strengthen the water balance and deal with the effects of prolonged drought.
According to the competent Department, "mobile desalination units have already been put into operation and actions are being implemented that increase the available quantities of water, reduce losses in the networks and limit waste, without affecting the quality of life of citizens".
Specifically, he says, in Kissonerga, since the beginning of August, the first unit with a capacity of 1,000 cubic meters per day has been operating, while the second of the same capacity is expected within the next few days.
Moreover, he adds that by the end of September 5,000 units/day will be added and by the end of October an additional 5,000 units/day.
Also, in Moni, in the area of the EAC Power Station, units with a total capacity of 15,000 cubic meters/day have been installed, which were granted by the United Arab Emirates.
The projects, according to the TAY, were completed within two months and from July 22 their gradual operation has begun, while by August 6 12 of the 13 units are already operating. He emphasizes that the last unit will soon be put into operation.
In addition to desalination, the TAY reports that interventions to strengthen the water supply are being implemented, such as the opening of new boreholes, loss reduction projects in the networks of Provincial Local Government Organizations (EDAs) amounting to €10.5 million, as well as in non-EDA Communities amounting to €3 million.
In addition, it notes that a Sponsorship Scheme of €3 million is "running". for small private desalination plants, with 6 out of 12 applications already approved (for the rest, additional data are expected from the applicants).
In addition, he adds that on the front of reducing waste, the "Drop-Count" application, developed by the Intelligent Water Systems team of the Center of Excellence for Research and Innovation "Koios" of the University of Cyprus, was put into operation.
"The application helps households calculate and limit water consumption, while the law on savings has been modernized, with stricter regulations for reckless use. At the same time, a major public information campaign is underway in cooperation with the Press and Information Office," he says.
As for the next steps, he notes that the mobile desalination plant in Garyllis Limassol is expected to be installed within four months, with the aim of operating in December 2025, while at the port of Limassol the installation will be completed in January 2026.
At the same time, the installation of new units with a total capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day in Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta is being considered, with the aim of their operation before the summer of 2026.
The Department underlines that the water issue "is a constant challenge, which requires continuous effort and responsible management"
In conclusion, he states that "even with the implementation of all measures that lead to a permanent solution, savings and rational use by citizens remain decisive factors for ensuring the adequacy and sustainable protection of water for current and future generations".
