KNews 14 January 2026
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| Consumers urged to contact the local authority to review charges and submit objections. Photo credit: Unsplash |
Officials say hidden leaks are a frequent cause of unexpectedly high water bills
An increase in water bills reported by residents across the Paphos district has prompted a response from the President of the Paphos District Local Government Organisation (EOA), Charalambos Pittokopitis, who is urging consumers to seek clarification if they believe charges are excessive.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Mr Pittokopitis acknowledged that a growing number of complaints have been submitted in recent weeks. He advised affected residents to contact either the EOA’s central offices or local citizen service centres to review their bills and formally lodge objections. According to him, such cases are examined without delay.
He explained that unusually high consumption readings are often linked to undetected water leaks, particularly those located underground or within outdoor areas such as courtyards. Because these leaks are not easily visible, they can remain unnoticed for long periods, leading to significant water loss and inflated bills.
When such situations arise, EOA technicians carry out on-site inspections and work alongside private plumbers appointed by the consumers to identify the source of the problem. If the excess water use is found to stem from damage to the private water network, specifically beyond the water meter and within the property, a special billing framework applies. Under this arrangement, consumers may be charged a reduced amount that primarily covers the organisation’s operational costs.
Mr Pittokopitis concluded by encouraging residents not to hesitate to contact the EOA’s services whenever they have concerns about their water charges, stressing that guidance and support are available to help consumers understand their bills and the steps required to address potential overcharging.
Note - it is recommended that people take a weekly water meter reading, and keep a log of those readings. It is then easier to spot any noticeable increase in consumption as if done weekly you can remember if there was extra usage that particular week, ie visitors, extra load in the washer, etc. When the water bill arrives, you can then quickly judge if the reading is what you were expecting as your reading will be there or thereabouts with the reading shown on the bill.
