Filenews 23 January 2026 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Cyprus is entering a state of emergency in terms of its water reserves, as neither the recent rains nor the snow in the mountains have been able to reverse the nightmarish picture of drought. Despite the fact that citizens have seen the weather scene change, the reality behind the numbers is relentless.
Inflows to the dams remain essentially zero, leading the Council of Ministers to approve an extraordinary, 6th package of measures, amounting to €31 million, in addition to the measures totalling €168 million already calculated for 2026.
The Government's message, through the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, is clear: Infrastructure projects and desalination are running at a marathon pace, but a 10% reduction in consumption by each household is now inevitable to avoid cuts in our taps.
It is noted that today the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy, and Agriculture, and the Deputy Minister of Research are going to Abu Dhabi in the context of the further deepening and strengthening of bilateral relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Minister of Agriculture will discuss tomorrow with her counterpart projects related to addressing water scarcity with the aim of water security, through the creation of desalination plants.
While this winter gave the impression of a wet period, the data of the Water Development Department are shocking. Inflows to the dams this year amounted to only 8.3 million cubic meters (ECM), while in the last 10 years the worst year recorded was 18 ECM. "The crisis is not theoretical, it is real and immediate," Ms. Panagiotou stressed, pointing out that the total reserves are only at 10%. If the situation continues, the dams of the Southern Pipeline are in danger of drying up completely before August. As a result, the adequacy of water supply and irrigation is affected both for the year 2026 and for the years 2027 and 2028.
If the situation continues at the same pace, the country will record a fourth consecutive year of drought. Given that: (a) The total available water reserves in the dams currently amount to around 10%, (b) the uneven ratio of rainfall and runoff proves that even in the event of rainfall corresponding to normal, it does not imply an increase in the inflows to the dams, (c) the demand for water supply must be met despite the continuous increases over time that amount to about +5% per year, (d) the availability of water for irrigation should be ensured in the minimum possible quantities that will ensure agricultural production and the preservation of plant capital, the country is in a state of emergency in terms of its water resources.
In order to shield the water supply, the Council of Ministers decided on an unprecedented strengthening of the water production infrastructure. The strategy is based on three axes: Strengthening the system with additional desalination, reducing losses and direct interventions in the networks and demand management – reducing overconsumption.
Desalination
The Council of Ministers approved the reinforcement of existing units by increasing the capacity of the mobile units in Episkopi (from 10,000 to 15,000 cubic meters), Vassiliko (from 10,000 to 20,000 cubic meters), and Ayia Napa (from 10,000 to 15,000 cubic meters), for seven years.
Installation of a new mobile unit in Mazotos (40,000 cubic meters/day) and for the first time installation of a floating desalination plant in Germasogeia (20,000 cubic meters/day) for three years. Upon completion of these, the total capacity of desalination plants will increase by 66%. Specifically, upon completion of the projects, nine projects of mobile desalination units with a total daily capacity of 157,000 cubic meters will have been added, so that cumulatively with the daily capacity of the permanent units, which amounts to 235,000 cubic meters, they will increase the total capacity by 66%, ensuring security in the water supply.
At the same time, the implementation of the plan for at least two new permanent desalination plants by 2029, with the utilization of Renewable Energy Sources, as well as the expansion of existing units, is progressing.
With the completion of at least two new permanent desalination plants in 2029, as well as the expansion of the existing permanent desalination plants through the ongoing negotiation procedures, the total water supply needs throughout Cyprus will be covered.
Leaks
An additional state grant of €1.5 million was approved. (€300,000 per Provincial Self-Government Organization) for immediate projects that will be completed in 3-6 months. The aim is to replace old pipes in homes and immediately detect faults within 12 hours.
Demand Management
This is where the most crucial part of the decision lies. The Government is investing €6 million for, a) the supply and free distribution of water saving equipment to households and premises, b) it provides water saving equipment to public buildings, schools and military camps, c) it is proceeding with a consumption reduction campaign in the tourism sector, with the aim of also a 10% reduction.
The need to implement an intensive and targeted water saving campaign is considered imperative, as based on the scenario analysis of the WDD, in the event that a reduction in total water overconsumption by 10% is achieved compared to 2025 consumption, then the problem will be better manageable.
Despite the ongoing projects, the Minister of Agriculture was categorical: Nothing will be enough if we do not change our habits. Ms. Panagiotou spoke of cases of abuse and not consumption, stating that in some households the use reaches 500 to 700 liters per person, numbers that are considered provocative in times of water scarcity.
What consumers need to know
- From February, an intensive campaign to reduce consumption by 10% begins.
- The tourism sector is also required to reduce its own use by 10%.
- Strict instructions will be issued to the NGOs and other local water bodies to control waste.
"The more water we save today, the more we will have in the summer," the Minister added, sending the message that the battle with drought is collective and can no longer be delayed.
He added that "this crisis affects every home, every family, every business and more than all our farmers, who are on the front line." He underlined that the goal is clear: To avoid cuts in water supply this year as well.
