The image of overflowing dams in several areas of Cyprus (Argaka, Pomos, Agia Marina, Vyzakia, Xyliatos, Kalopanagiotis, Tamasos, Klirou, Solea) and the green landscape of recent months seem to be misleading in terms of the water problem. While public opinion and the rural world expect an easing of restrictions after the significant inflows of the first four months of 2026, the Department of Water Development (WDD) is sending out an alarm signal. Despite the beneficial rains, the difference between "safe living" and "water crisis" remains small, with the WDD choosing the path of prudence over the temporary popular demands for more water.
On the basis of these data, a new, critical proposal to the Council of Ministers is being prepared, which will determine the future of water management for the next two years.
Despite the partial improvement, the WDD appears to be particularly restrained, especially with regard to the provision of water for irrigation purposes. The basic philosophy of the proposals that have been put before the Water Management Advisory Committee (SEDY) and are then expected to be put before the Minister, is clear: "The water crisis has not been overcome".
The numbers tell the truth, but interpreting them requires caution. As of April 29, 2026, the total reserves at the dams amounted to 113.7 Million Cubic Meters (CMM), which corresponds to a 39.1% occupancy. This is a significant increase compared to 23.2% in the same period last year. However, the WDD warns that the dams remain about 2/3 empty.
The recovery is not uniform, which complicates management. In particular, small-scale dams, mainly irrigation in all provinces, are 98% occupancy, having received inflows of 12.6 CMM.
This category includes the Vyzakia, Xyliatos, Solea and Kalopanayiotis dams in the Nicosia District, with a total capacity of approximately 7.9 CMM, the Mavrokolimbos dam in the Paphos District, with a capacity of approximately 2.2 CMM, as well as the Argaka, Pomos and Agia Marina dams in the Chrysochous area, with a total capacity of approximately 2.1 CMM, which are used exclusively for irrigation purposes. Furthermore, the dams of Tamassos and Kliros, with a total capacity of 4.8 CMM, are used in combination for water supply and enrichment of boreholes in the wider area. The total capacity of small-scale dams is therefore around 17.1 CMM, which corresponds to around 6% of the total capacity of all dams.
In the dams of Paphos, the occupancy rate is at 43.1%, with inflows of 34.8 CMM. The second category includes larger dams that serve combined water supply and irrigation needs in the Paphos District. This category includes the dams of Asprokremmos and Kannavi, with a total capacity of 69.5 CMM of which 52.4 CMM correspond to the Asprokremmos dam and 17.1 CMM to the Kannavio dam. In addition, in the Chrysochous area, the Evretos dam, with a capacity of 24 CMM, has always served exclusively irrigation needs. However, due to the significant increase in the demand for water supply in the region in recent years, it has become necessary to contribute to meeting water supply needs. In this context, the installation of fast refineries at the Evretos dam is planned within 2027, so that it can also be used for water supply purposes. The dams in this category have a total capacity of 93.5 CMM, which corresponds to approximately 31.1% of the total capacity of all dams.
The Unified Southern Pipeline Scheme (ESNA), the lung of Cyprus, which supplies water to the districts of Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta, is at only 34.9% occupancy (55.4 CMM inflows). The third and most important category concerns the dams that serve combined water supply and irrigation in the districts of Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta, through the Unified Southern Pipeline Plan (ESNA). This category includes the dams of Kouri, Kalavasos, Lefkara, Dipotamos, Germasogeia, Polemidia, Arminou and Achna. The total capacity of the ENNA dams amounts to 189.5 CMM, which corresponds to approximately 63% of the total capacity of all dams, making it a key pillar of the water system and a critical factor for the security of water supply and irrigation in most of the island.
>In the ESNA, the increase in the occupancy rate compared to the corresponding one last year in April is 10% (from 23.3% to 33.8%).
>In the Paphos Major Project, the increase in the occupancy rate compared to the corresponding one last year in April is 19% (from 23.5% to 42.7%)
>In the Chrysochous Project, the increase in the occupancy rate compared to the corresponding one last year in April is 24% (from 25.5% to 49.7%)
>At Nicosia dams, the increase in the occupancy rate compared to the corresponding one last year in April is 79% (from 19.6 to 98.2%)
The crucial conclusion of the technocrats is that the present improvement is not a return to normality. "The occupancy of 34 – 42% in large systems is not sufficient to lift the restrictions," they note. For the WDD, the safety threshold for securing water supply is 35% of the total capacity, and today the reserves are marginally below this level.
One of the most worrying elements of the WDD report concerns consumer behaviour. Despite the decision of the Council of Ministers in January 2026 to reduce water consumption by 10%, the data of the first quarter show the exact opposite.
As far as water consumption is concerned, the data of the first quarter of 2026 show, on average, an increase in consumption, which deviates from the 10% reduction target approved by the Council of Ministers. In case this increase continues for the rest of the year, it is estimated that it will correspond to additional needs of about 3 CMM for the second category of dams and about 14.3 CMM for the third category of dams of the ESNA, with direct effects on the water balance.
In the areas of ESNA, an overall increase of 0.6% is recorded. At the same time, in the province of Paphos, the increase in water consumption reached an explosive 15.8%, while Limassol also showed an increase of 7.8%. At the same time, Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta achieved a slight decrease of 2.6%.
The WDD warns that if this trend continues, additional quantities of 17 CMM will be required, which will lead to an immediate depletion of stocks and the risk of horizontal cuts in 2027.
Revised allocation with priority to water supply
The data of the Water Development Department reveal an improved picture for the water reserves of Cyprus after the rainfall of the period January – April 2026, but without allowing complacency. Despite the increase in inflows, the country remains in a state of water scarcity due to previous years of drought, with the system being at yellow alert level.
The new allocation scenarios for 2026 foresee increased quantities for water supply compared to the initial planning in January. However, the WDD makes it clear that there is no return to normality. The strategy is based on a conservative three-year plan (2026-2028) with the main objective of ensuring the water supply of the population.
According to the WDD, any excess of the quantities in the water supply can lead to a rapid depletion of reserves and much stricter measures in the coming years.
On the contrary, irrigation management is now targeted, depending on the occupancy of the local dams.
Nicosia (Vyzakia/ Xyliatos, Kalopanagiotis, Solea) and Chrysochou: The improved situation allows a larger percentage of irrigation needs to be covered.
Paphos: Despite the inflows, the rapid increase in water demand does not allow for additional concessions for agriculture.
Limassol: Irrigation continues to be covered exclusively by reclaimed water.
In agriculture, priority is given to permanent plantations and greenhouses, while seasonal crops receive limited quantities only where the balance allows it.
As far as livestock farming and industry are concerned, the needs are fully covered due to their low consumption and importance.
Estimates show that by the end of 2026 the dams will be in a moderate to severely deficient state. Maintaining this level directly depends on:
1. The containment of consumption within the approved limits.
2. The seamless integration of the new mobile desalination units into the system.
3. The utilization of drilling as a basic pillar of savings.
Suggestions for immediate measures
The WDD recommends strict adherence to government decisions, with an emphasis on the reduction of losses in the networks by the Provincial Local Government Organizations (EOA) and the intensification of the water saving campaign. At the same time, it calls on farmers to take advantage of Common Agricultural Policy programs for the transition to less water-intensive crops.
1. Strict compliance with all decisions and measures approved by the Council of Ministers for the management of water scarcity, with an explicit commitment by the District Local Government Organizations (NOAs) to implement the measures to reduce their losses.
2. Continuation and strengthening of the water saving campaign by all stakeholders, with emphasis on informing the public and installing nozzles and devices and limiting water consumption.
3. Systematic monitoring of actual water consumption on a monthly basis and timely taking of corrective measures in cases of deviation from the approved targets.
4. Intensification of actions to reduce losses in water supply networks, through repair and replacement of obsolete pipelines, improvement of pressure management and enhancement of leak detection and remediation by EDAs.
5. Achievement of the goal of reducing water consumption approved by the Council of Ministers, as a condition for the maintenance of safe reserves. To this end, NSAIDs are invited to strengthen controls and make use of appropriate pricing tools and savings incentives.
6. Imperative utilization of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Plans to support the transition to more sustainable and less water-intensive crops, as well as to improve the efficiency of water use in the agricultural sector.
7. Further promote the use of reclaimed water, where technically and spatially feasible, with the aim of unloading dams and enhancing the resilience of the system.
8. Continuous monitoring of the water status and regular re-evaluation of the Allocation Scenarios, based on actual input, stock and consumption data, in order to ensure timely adaptation to adverse or unforeseen developments.
The risk of new desalination projects
The primary objective is to contain stocks, by maintaining a critical safety reserve in the dams (about 105 CMM in total) as a shield against the possible drought of the coming years.
The design of the WDD is based on a critical assumption, the full and uninterrupted operation of all desalination plants. However, there are important imponderables. As far as the Dhekelia unit is concerned, the contract expires in 2027 and the negotiations for expansion are crucial.
The new units (Vasiliko, Mazotos, Germasogeia) are expected with the new year, with any delay in their integration in 2027 to create deficits that cannot be covered by the dams without serious consequences.
The WDD characterizes the floating unit of Germasogeia as a "high-risk project" due to the possible delays in tender procedures.
The message of the technocrats to the political leadership is clear. Improving 2026 water supplies is a breath of fresh air, not the solution to the problem. The implementation of the Drought Management Plan remains imperative. In the event that consumption is not contained or desalination is delayed, the state will be forced to implement the "Patroklos" Plan for stricter management.
In the context of the implementation of the "Patroklos" Plan, a briefing of the Crisis Management Coordination Team (SOC) was held on April 21, 2026, which took note of the existing water status and confirmed the current coordination and preparedness framework at Level 2 (Yellow Alert). This Level provides for increased vigilance, involvement of the co-competent bodies, preventive coordination and the possibility of convening the SOC, while maintaining close monitoring of developments and the possibility of further escalation, if the data so require. It is emphasized that in the event of a material change in the Allocation Scenarios or the water status, the Crisis Management Coordination Team should be informed immediately, in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
The WDD calls on the Provincial Local Government Organizations (NGOs) to strengthen controls and utilize pricing tools to save money. The recommendation to the Cabinet will be tough: Continuation of restrictions on irrigation and strict discipline in water supply, so that Cyprus does not thirst in 2027.
Overconsumption recorded by farmers
The WDD's reluctance to provide more water to farmers stems from the bad experience of previous years. The analysis of the data reveals a systematic phenomenon of overconsumption against SEDY approvals. More specifically, in 2023 an excess of 2.5 CMM was recorded, while in 2024 the excess skyrocketed to 11.1 CMM. Furthermore, in 2025, despite low approvals, an additional 2.2 CMM was consumed.
From the longitudinal comparison of the approved irrigation quantities by the SEDY with the actual consumptions, it appears that in recent years there has been a repeated phenomenon of overconsumption, during which the final use of water exceeds the approvals. In particular, in 2023 the approved quantities amounted to 45.0 CMM, while the actual consumption reached 47.5 CMM, recording an overconsumption of 2.5 CMM, which came mainly from the irrigation projects of Paphos and Chrysochous. In 2024, the phenomenon intensified significantly, as 28.4 CMM were approved and 39.5 CMM were consumed, with an excess of 11.1 CMM, which is almost entirely attributed to the same projects. Similarly, in 2025, despite the particularly low approvals (19.5 CMM), final consumption amounted to 21.7 CMM, marking an additional excess of 2.2 CMM, which is again recorded mainly in the Great Paphos Project and the Chrysochous Project.
If the above over-consumption had not taken place, there would be additional reserves available today in the Paphos and Chrysochous projects of the order of approximately 16 CMM, an amount that, under the current conditions of reduced stocks, would be decisive for meeting irrigation needs and reducing the pressure on the water system in 2026. This finding underlines that the repetition of the phenomenon of overconsumption cannot be tolerated, as it undermines the planning of the Allocation Scenarios and directly jeopardizes the viability of stocks.
In total, in the three-year period 2023-2025, 16 CMM of water were lost from the system due to exceedances, mainly in the Paphos and Chrysochous projects. If these quantities had been maintained, the current picture of stocks would have been much more reassuring.
The proposal being prepared for the Council of Ministers is based on specific scenarios aimed at the resilience of the system for the period 2027-2028. The main pillars include the absolute priority in water supply, with the aim of ensuring the needs of the population for 2026 and the following years.
As far as the needs for agricultural and livestock purposes are concerned, irrigation will be targeted with the water supply being given priority to permanent plantations and greenhouses, while fully covering livestock and industry. Emphasis is also placed on the utilization of recovered water, especially in Limassol, to relieve demand on the dams.
