The government is trying to prevent the risk of a medium-term water shortage, at the same time that increased consumption and judicial or financial entanglements in critical infrastructure projects cause a severe headache for the competent bodies to manage the water problem. The goal set by the government is to fully meet water supply needs through desalination in 2027, however, the data are no longer encouraging due to unforeseen situations.
Despite the partial improvement due to the rainfall during the period January – June 2026, where the total reserves in the dams amounted to 123.2 million cubic meters (ECM) with an occupancy of 42.4%, the situation remains precarious.
The dams of the Unified Southern Pipeline Plan (ESNA) record an occupancy of only 38.6%, while the dams of Paphos are at 45.5%, while the safety limit set for large water bodies is 35%. According to historical experience and data, any further reduction in these reserves would substantially increase the risk of water scarcity for the years 2027 and 2028.
The initial decision of the Council of Ministers in January 2026 provided for a horizontal reduction in water consumption by 10%. However, the actual data of the first five months dashed expectations. Water consumption in ESNA showed almost zero decrease (-0.6%), with Limassol recording an increase of +4.5%. The most worrying picture comes from the province of Paphos, where a jump in water consumption of +15.3% was recorded.
Under pressure from agricultural organizations and due to the extension of rainfall until May, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (YGAAP) submitted a revised proposal with an "Alternative Scenario" of allocation, which approves a total of 121.7 ECM for water supply purposes and 41.2 ECM for irrigation.
Thorns and delays in desalination projects
The burden of water balance survival falls almost entirely on the desalination plants. Of the 121.7 ECM of water supply, 92.8 ECM is planned to come from desalination. Nevertheless, the planning seems to be overturned by serious delays and cancellations:
>> Mazotos Mobile Plant: The contribution of this unit with a capacity of 40,000 cubic meters/day was completely removed from the forecasts, although it was initially expected to be put into operation in January 2027. The pending legal proceedings following an appeal by the community council of Mazotos creates an unknown horizon for implementation and a real risk of cancellation of the project.
>> Germasogeia floating unit: The unit with a capacity of 20,000 cubic meters / day was completely removed from the allocation scenario, as the Ministry of Finance requested the re-evaluation of its construction due to high costs.
>> Dhekelia Unit: The existing contract is completed within 2027, specifically on May 20. The Department of Water Development (WDD) is in negotiations for a time extension, but the quantities for 2027 and 2028 are not yet considered reserved, causing additional uncertainty.
Water balance forecasts
Future water balance projections clearly show the scarcity of resources.
• Water balance of ESNA (2024-2028): For 2026, the water supply needs of the plan are estimated at 102.2 ECU, while it is projected to increase to 107.3 ECU in 2027 and 112.6 ECM in 2028. In contrast, water reserves in dams at the end of the year are expected to plummet from 49.4 ECM in 2026, to 38.8 ECM in 2027 and just 24.9 ECM in 2028, with the occupancy rate limited to a nightmarish 13%.
• Water balance of Paphos (2024-2028): In Paphos, water supply needs from 18.9 ECM in 2026 are projected to reach 19.8 ECM in 2027 and 20.8 ECM in 2028. Paphos dam stocks at the end of the year, from 24.1 ECM in 2026, will decrease to 18.7 ECM in 2027 and fall to 9.6 ECM in 2028, leaving occupancy at 13%.
In order to allow the additional concession of water to Paphos, the Paphos EOA has committed to limit the growth rate of water demand to 5%-8% for the coming years, instead of the current 15%.
All the projects that are running for independence from rainfall
Until 2021, five desalination plants had been built since 1996. In the last two years, three new units have been put into full operation in Moni, Kissonerga and the Port of Limassol, while the unit in Kouklia, which had been destroyed by fire, was immediately reopened. On June 10, the fourth mobile unit in Garyllis was put into trial operation. At the same time, new permanent desalination plants are progressing in East Limassol, Ayia Napa – Ayia Thekla, Polis Chrysochous and Dhekelia, with the aim of operating in 2029 using Renewable Energy Sources, covering our needs until 2050.
The new units planned
In the category of existing units, there are four major infrastructures: Larnaca (60,000 cubic meters/day, start 2015), Vasilikos (60,000 cubic meters/day, start 2013) and Episkopi (40,000 cubic meters/day, start 2012). The Dhekelia plant (60,000 cubic meters/day, starting in 2007) is under negotiation for an extension of its contract, which expires in 2027, until the construction of the new Dhekelia unit with a proposed capacity of 80,000 cubic meters/day. In Paphos, the existing unit has a capacity of 15,000 + 5,000 cubic meters/day, with the additional production of 5,000 cubic meters. to be used until September 2027 to replenish the quantities lost due to the fire of December 2024.
At the level of the new units, in addition to Dhekelia, units are planned in Eastern Limassol (60,000 cubic meters/day), Ayia Napa (30,000 cubic meters/day) and Polis Chrysochous (10,000 cubic meters/day).
Mobile units expected and those frozen
Mobile units are mobilized for immediate reinforcement of the network. The units of the Monastery (15,000 cubic meters/day, with an operating horizon until 31/12/2029), Kissonerga (12,000 cubic meters/day, starting 12/2025) and the Port of Limassol (10,000 cubic meters/day, starting 27/04/2026) are in operation.
Beyond that, the following expected inclusions are recorded:
• Garylli: 10,000 cubic meters/day. (expected in June 2026).
• Episkopi: 10,000 cubic meters/day. (expected 09/2026, with consultations for an extension by 5,000 cubic meters).
• Vasiliko: 10,000 cubic meters/day. (expected 10/2026, with approval of a capacity increase of up to 20,000 cubic meters by the EAC).
On the other hand, the mobile unit of Mazotos (40,000 cubic meters/day) has been frozen due to the judicial appeal of the community council, while the floating unit of Germasogeia (20,000 cubic meters/day) was permanently removed due to cost, after the intervention of the Ministry of Finance.
