Cyprus' water policy is facing one of the most critical turning points in recent years, as the government and the Water Development Department (WDD) are called upon to balance between the pressing needs of the primary sector and the urgent need to maintain safety stocks.
The recent report of the WDD, which presents the comparison of alternative water distribution scenarios, sounds the alarm, underlining that any exceeding of the limits set by the Water Management Advisory Committee (SEDY) may lead to the complete depletion of the dams before the end of 2028.
On April 24, 2026, the SEDY met to determine the management plan for the three-year period 2026-2028. For a water system to be considered safe, its occupancy must not fall below 35%. However, the reality turns out to be harsh.
After the session, additional but limited inflows into the dams were recorded, without a substantial reversal of the overall picture. The stored input to the dams currently reaches 120 ECL (41.3%).
According to the approved report, the availability of water for irrigation in the years 2027 and 2028 must remain at extremely low levels to avoid a complete collapse of the system. Despite the restrictive measures, the Paphos Large Irrigation Project (MAEP) is already showing depletion trends within three years, highlighting the structural vulnerability of the area.
The five permanent desalination plants by 2024 covered approximately 70% of the water needs served by the Government Water Supply Systems. This percentage approached, through the implementation of the plan, 75% within 2025, while at the beginning of 2026 it has reached around 80%. Within the first months of 2027, it is estimated through the "bridge projects" that the country will approach levels of adequacy to meet water supply needs through desalinated water.
The aim of the national planning is to reduce the dependence of the water supply on weather conditions and to gradually achieve full coverage (100%) of the water supply needs from desalinated water by 2029, with the implementation of the additional permanent units that have already been launched in order to ensure that even in periods of drought there will be sufficiency.
Cancellation of desalination in Germasogeia
An important reversal in the original planning is the decision to re-evaluate and essentially cancel the construction of the floating desalination plant in Germasogeia. This development emerged after a letter from the Ministry of Finance, which set two main axes:
1. The high cost of the unit, which was deemed unprofitable under the current financial conditions.
2. The improved picture of the inputs, as from January 2026 a significant flow of water was recorded in the dams, which reduced the direct pressure for water at all costs.
However, the WDD warns that the removal of the floating unit in Germasogeia with a capacity of 20,000 cubic litres/day (6.6 ECL/year) at the beginning of 2027 from the plan introduces additional uncertainty to the water balance, at a time when other units, such as Moni, are expected to end their operation at the end of 2026.
At the request of the Director-General for Agriculture on 11 May 2026, the WDD elaborated alternative scenarios that provide for an increased water supply for irrigation. Specifically, the following scenarios were asked to be considered:
1. Concession of irrigation water quantities to the Southern Pipeline Single Plan at least last year's levels.
2. Increase of quantities in the Paphos Large Irrigation Project, either at a level equal to last year's consumption or with additional increases of 10% and 20%.
3. Increase in quantities. At the same time, it was requested that an increase in the water supply to Polis Chrysochous by 10% and 20% be considered.
The alternative scenarios were prepared with the same three-year time horizon and based on the same assumptions regarding the operation and integration of the desalination plants, as described in the scenarios of the Report of the Water Development Department that were examined at the SEDY meeting, with the exception of the floating desalination plant in Germasogeia.
The comparison between the approved scenario of SEDY and the proposals for an increase is revealing.
Unified Southern Pipeline Plan (ESNA)
• SEDY scenario: It provides for the coverage of only 10% of the needs for permanent plantations and greenhouses, with zero supply of seasonal crops. In this scenario, the reserves at the ESNA dams at the end of 2026 will decrease to 44.9 ECL or 23.7%. Today the stored quantity is 70.1 ECL or 37%.
• Alternative scenarios: They propose an increase in coverage to 43% – 46%. While this temporarily relieves producers, it drives stocks at the end of 2026 to critical levels (21.5 ECL or 11%), reducing the safety margin by 14 ECL compared to the original plan.
Paphos Major Irrigation Project (MAEP)
Paphos is at the heart of the crisis.
SEDY scenario: 26% coverage of permanent plantations and greenhouses. Stocks run out in December 2028. Based on this scenario, in December 2026 there will be 21.7 ECL or 30.3% in the dams.
Alternative scenario 3 (20% increase): Coverage rises to 45% for permanent plantations and greenhouses and 40% for seasonal crops, but dam depletion comes much earlier, in April 2028, with a frightening deficit of -6.3 ECL. In this scenario, in December 2026 there will be stored quantities of 16.8 ECL or 23.4% at the Paphos dams.
Polis Chrysochous Irrigation Project
Here the pressures are even more intense. While the baseline scenario allows for 50% coverage for permanent plantations and greenhouses and 30% for seasonal crops, proposals to increase to 60% drive stocks to critical levels of just 2.4 ECL or 9% occupancy at the end of 2028. At the end of 2026, stocks will amount to 8.8 ECL or 33.7% based on the scenario approved at SEDY on April 23.
Nicosia Irrigation Project
With 50% coverage of permanent plantations and 30% of seasonal plantations, stocks are partially depleted and reach 9%. Based on the estimate at the end of the year the stored quantity will be 3.95 ECL or 50%.
The planning of desalination plants is a race
Cyprus' water security is now based on unconventional sources. WDD is running an extensive program, but challenges remain. Desalination plants have already been operating in Moni and Kissonerga since February 2026 and the Port of Limassol since April 2026.
The Garyllis fast refineries are expected within the month, Episkopi in September and Vasilikos in December.
The Mazotos plant with a capacity of 40,000 cubic litres/day is expected in January 2027, while the permanent unit in Ayia Napa with a capacity of 30,000 cubic litres/day will not be ready before 2029.
The Dhekelia unit is of particular concern, as the contract expires in May 2027 and the quantities for 2028 are not taken for granted, as they are under negotiation.
Beyond infrastructure projects, the government emphasizes changing mentality. With the average consumption in Cyprus reaching 140 liters per person (compared to 125 in the EU), the need for savings is obvious.
The "Water, and for tomorrow" campaign and the "Dropper" application are the new weapons in the fight against waste. In the coming weeks, the mass distribution of energy saving equipment begins, including: • 2,000,000 nozzles for faucets. • 1,000,000 flow reducers for showers.
The goal is to achieve a 10% reduction in consumption equivalent to the construction of a new permanent desalination plant.
The final conclusion of the Water Development Department is categorical that the scenario of SEDY is the only option that maintains basic safety reserves. Any temporary improvement in irrigation for 2026 will be paid dearly in the next two years with an increased risk of water scarcity and inability to manage resources. Water in Cyprus has never been a given. Today, with the climate crisis just around the corner, it is turning into a matter of national resilience.
The 3 pillars to address water scarcity
Cyprus is facing one of the most important and complex challenges, that of ensuring water sufficiency under the weight of climate pressure and prolonged drought, according to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou.
The Minister clarified that water scarcity is not a temporary phenomenon, but a perennial problem that requires consistency, responsible management and above all the avoidance of past mistakes, stressing that despite this year's improved inflows, no complacency is allowed.
The Ministry's strategic plan is firmly based on three central pillars: the increase of water quantities through unconventional sources (desalination), the improvement of the water supply network and the cultivation of water awareness.
The water security of Cyprus now passes through the stable and reliable production of water. Particular emphasis is placed on dealing with water losses in the networks, which are mainly due to the age of the infrastructure. To this end, the state actively supports the Local Government:
Funding 2025: Projects worth €10.5 million approved for the District Local Government Organizations (NGOs) and an additional €1 million for communities, with the aim of replacing pipelines and reducing leaks.
Emergency sponsorship: Additional state aid of up to €300,000 is granted for each EOA, to ensure immediate detection and faster restoration of damages.
"Water in Cyprus has never been a given. It is a precious natural resource that needs respect from all of us." Ms. Panayiotou sounded the alarm about consumption levels, pointing out that there is overconsumption in Cyprus compared to the rest of Europe.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the Press and Information Office, implements the campaign "Water, and for tomorrow". Actions include:
1. "Dropper" application: Developed in collaboration with the "KIOS" Center of Excellence for the calculation of daily household consumption.
2. Free saving equipment: The distribution of special nozzles to businesses began on a pilot basis at the beginning of 2026, while in the coming weeks it is expanding to households, public buildings and camps. In total, over 2,000,000 nozzles for faucets and 1,000,000 flow reducers for showers will be made available.
3. New website: A new digital platform has already been put into operation, which brings together all the information, projects and practical advice on the water issue, enhancing transparency.
The Minister concluded by sending a clear message: If each of us reduces consumption by just 10%, the result will be equivalent to the construction of an additional permanent desalination plant. "Water has always been an element of survival for Cyprus. Today it is also becoming an element of resilience," he said, calling on the state, local government, businesses and society to a joint and long-term effort.
Water scarcity requires a change of course
The director of the Department of Water Development (WDD), Iliana Tofa-Christidou, sends a signal of danger but also of hope, stressing that dealing with water scarcity is not a matter of a "good year", but requires deep technical, institutional and social changes.
Despite the fact that this year's increased rainfall and snowfall gave a significant breather and led to a recovery of stocks, Ms. Tofa-Christidou clarifies that no complacency is allowed.
"The logic of 'it rained this year, so we are fine' is a simplistic and unscientific approach to a complex phenomenon."
In order for the country to enter a stable and safe trajectory, at least two more good hydrological years are required, which must be accompanied by permanent and targeted management measures. Today, all areas of Cyprus have negative balances, as water consumption exceeds the amount that enters the river basins, is stored in the dams or is produced by the desalination plants.
Cyprus has invested for decades in unconventional resources (desalination and reclaimed water), but the WDD director underlines that the answer can no longer be based on increasing supply alone. Immediate interventions in demand are needed:
• Reduction of losses in networks: Replacement of old pipelines, maintenance and smart monitoring through telemetry are the most efficient solutions, as each cubic meter saved does not leave a new environmental footprint.
• Modernization of agriculture: Shift from outdated high-loss practices to modern methods, such as precision agriculture and telemetry, with the goal of "more production with less water".
At the moment, extreme phenomena of overconsumption are being recorded, reaching 500 to 700 liters per day per person, confirming that water is often wasted unnecessarily.
