Filenews 9 February 2026 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The Department of Water Development (WDD) and the District Local Government Organizations (EOA) of Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta have been put on increased alert, following technical problems with electricity supply that occurred at two key desalination plants over the weekend. Despite the reduction in water flow, strategic investment in new storage infrastructure seems to avert, for the time being, the possibility of cuts in households.
The problem was caused at the desalination plants of Vasilikos and Larnaca, putting part of the production out of operation. According to the latest update, the unit in Vasilikos has already fully reopened, while the unit in Larnaca is in the repair phase and its restoration is expected within the day.
The WDD announced that the available quantities of drinking water to the EOAs are temporarily reduced. The water supply of the areas, until the reintegration of the Larnaca desalination plant into the system, will continue to be covered by the Tersefanos and Kornos refineries and the Dhekelia desalination plant.
The contractors of the units shall endeavour to fully restore the supply as soon as possible.
The fact that consumers in Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta have not been faced with closed taps is due to the increased storage capacities of the three EOAs. The total storage capacity of the tanks in Nicosia is 87,750 cubic meters, in Larnaca 22,000 cubic meters and in the areas of Paralimni and Ayia Napa 15,000 cubic meters, which has contributed to the absence of shortages among consumers so far.
In the capital, the new water reservoirs "Clio" and "Erato", with a total capacity of 17,200 cubic meters, are the main guarantee of sufficiency. The project, which was inaugurated last month, increases Nicosia's water sufficiency, covering needs for more than 36 hours in the event of a complete disruption.
The picture is similar in Larnaca, where the new facilities in Klavdia doubled the capacity of the organization (from 11,000 to 23,000 tons). The new large water tank of 12,000 cubic meters ensures uninterrupted supply for 24 hours during peak periods and up to 48 hours during the winter season, preventing the inconvenience of citizens from the current failure.
The Department of Water Development and the EOAs urge the public to implement strict water saving measures until the system is fully restored, in order to keep the reserves in the tanks at safe levels.
