Filenews 9 August 2025 - by Angelos Nikoalou
The Water Development Department (TAY) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has engaged in a race, with the aim of immediately addressing the serious problems in water sufficiency that affect Cyprus this year. With coordinated actions, important projects are underway to strengthen the water supply, focusing on the installation of four mobile desalination plants (MSPs), as well as the implementation of additional emergency measures to ensure that no community or municipality is left without water.
Furthermore, in an important move to address the increased water scarcity that affects several areas, the TAY informed about its intention to cover the cost for the purchase and transport of drinking water by tankers to the water tankers of communities facing water supply problems.
According to yesterday's letter from the TAY to the Union of Communities of Cyprus, in cases where there is an emergency and there is no other possibility of water supply, the state can cover the relevant costs in the context of emergency funding, based on a decision of the Council of Ministers dated March 26, 2025.
The supply of water by tankers is considered necessary both to meet basic water needs and to prevent serious public health problems, especially in remote or semi-mountainous areas that are particularly affected by prolonged drought.
In order to proceed with the financial support, the communities are invited to submit to the local District Offices of the TAY the relevant invoices as well as the certificates of suitability of the tankers used for the transport of water.
With coordinated actions, important projects are underway to strengthen the water supply, focusing on the installation of four mobile desalination plants (MSPs), as well as the implementation of additional emergency measures to ensure that no community or municipality is left without water.
The installation of mobile desalination plants was set as a priority in the Action Plan to tackle water scarcity approved by the Council of Ministers in November 2024. The TAY managed in a short time to secure the required approvals and proceed with the implementation of the projects, which are currently in different stages of completion.
Moni Power Station (Limassol)
Units with a capacity of 15,000 cubic meters/day were granted by the United Arab Emirates. Already, from July 22, their gradual operation began, with 12 of the 13 units being fully operational until August 6. TAY, in cooperation with the contractor of the operation and maintenance contract, in the presence of technicians of the construction company from the UAE, is trying to put the 13th unit into operation.
Kissonerga (Paphos)
As of August 7, the first desalination plant with a capacity of 1,000 cubic meters/day was put into operation, while the second of the same capacity is expected immediately. In total, the contractor has committed to an operation of 5,000 cubic meters/day by the end of September and a full capacity of 12,000 cubic meters/day by the end of October. The contract provides for the installation of the units in a period of 7 months (until 19/12/2025).
Garyllis Riverbed (Limassol)
The contract for a desalination plant with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters/day was signed on August 4, with the aim of completion within 4 months, i.e. within December 2025. It is noted that the evaluation and disclosure of the results of the tender had been carried out since 16/5/2025, however, due to a hierarchical appeal to the Tender Review Authority, the signing and launch of the Contract took place on 4/8/2025.
Limassol Port
The evaluation process has been completed, while the signing of the contract is expected within August. The project envisages the installation of a 10,000 cubic meters/day unit by January 2026.
Extraordinary additional measures to strengthen the water balance
In addition to these four units, the Council of Ministers on 26 March 2025 approved additional measures. The TAY has proceeded with the evaluation of possible options for the installation of units with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters/day in selected locations in the districts of Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta. The aim is to announce the relevant tenders in the autumn of 2025 so that the operation of the Units will be possible in the summer of 2026.
New drilling and utilization of existing ones
The district offices of the TAY (Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia) proceeded, in collaboration with the Geological Survey Department, to the excavation and re-operation of boreholes to enhance the water supply, especially in individual communities throughout Cyprus, as well as to strengthen the water supply of urban Limassol and Paphos.
Construction and repair of water tanks
Projects are being implemented in communities with water supply problems due to drought or damage to the water supply network, such as the construction of water reservoirs, the replacement of pipelines to reduce losses, etc.
Reduction of losses in water supply networks
In collaboration with the five Provincial Local Government Organizations (EDAs), loss reduction projects with a budget of €10.5 million were included in the THALIA 2021-2027 Programme. In addition, projects worth €3 million are being promoted. in non-EDA communities, the first of which are expected to start in September. The TAY, in cooperation with the Union of Communities, informed the communities about this and asked for proposals. The Communities concerned have responded and the TAY has already made an assessment of them, requesting some additional data in order to reach the approval of the most mature projects and those that will contribute significantly to the effort to reduce losses in order to strengthen the water balance.
Subsidy of small private desalination plants in hotels
In the context of the effort to decongest public water supply systems, a Sponsorship Scheme of €3 million was announced for the installation of small private desalination units in hotel units, with the aim of covering their water needs without burdening the government water supply systems. To date, 12 applications have been submitted, of which 6 have already been approved, while additional data have been requested for the rest.
Outlook for new units in 2026
The TAY is evaluating additional areas for the installation of temporary mobile desalination plants in the districts of Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta. The relevant tenders are expected to be announced in the autumn, with the aim of operating new units in the summer of 2026.
