The largest amount for the production of desalinated water ever proposed is included in the budgets of the Department of Water Development for 2027 amid the climate crisis and increased water supply needs.
According to the official data, submitted yesterday to the Parliament, the fund is increased by €26 million. compared to the approved budget of 2026 (€142.1 million) and by €80 million. compared to actual expenditure in 2025 (€110.1 million)
It is noted that during 2025, the water situation deteriorated dramatically, with water reserves in the dams showing a further significant decrease to 11%, resulting in additional emergency measures being required to strengthen the water balance and avoid severe restrictions on irrigation.
The total proposed allocation for 2027 amounts to €168,069,000. This amount covers the desalination plants operating throughout Cyprus and specifically the purchase of desalinated water from the permanent units of Limassol, Larnaca, Dhekelia, Vasilikos, Episkopi and Paphos (Kouklia).
Furthermore, the fund includes the coverage of needs by the temporary mobile units in Kissonerga, Garyllis, Limassol Port, Moni, Episkopi, Vasiliko, as well as the Mazotos mobile unit which is estimated to be operational within 2027. Support tasks such as power supply and component replacement are also included.
In the budget there is a provision for the concession of 0.13 million. cubic meters of drinking water in Louroutzina and the emergency purchase of drinking water from private boreholes to meet the needs of Communities.
It also includes the supply of recycled water from the Wastewater Treatment Plants (SEPs) of the District Local Government Organizations (EOA) of Nicosia (Vathia Gonia, Anthoupoli), Famagusta (Paralimni – Ayia Napa), Larnaca, Limassol (Kato Moni, Kato Ploumidia) and Paphos.
For the creation and strengthening of desalination plants and water transport networks, appropriations of €12,335,284 are foreseen. These concern the transport of water from Vassiliko to Limassol with the construction of a pumping pipeline from the Vassiliko unit to a central tank of 2,000 sq.m. and connection to community tanks.
It also includes the design and construction of a new pumping station in Tersefanou for the transport of desalinated water to Nicosia.
There is provision for the coverage of ineligible costs for Phase A of the Vasilikos – Nicosia Water Project and the implementation of Phase B from national resources (following the conclusion of a loan with the TSE) to strengthen the water security of Nicosia.
In order to meet water supply needs in the area of free Famagusta, the Kokkinokremmos water project is proceeding with the construction of pipelines, pumping stations and tanks from the Dekelia desalination plant to free Famagusta.
For the maximum utilization of recycled water in irrigation, €3,500,000 is provided, which is distributed in Nicosia: Storage tanks in Vathia Gonia (500,000 cubic meters and new 1.3 million cubic meters), Anthoupoli (500,000 cubic meters) and Paliometochos (500,000 cubic meters) as well as transport pipelines to Dalios, Potamia, Agios Sozomenos, Geri and from the station of Mia Milia.
Limassol: Connection of the new West Limassol Wind Turbine (Polemidia) with the irrigation network and the reclamation tanks of the Akrotiri aquifer.
Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta: Repair of a 500,000 cubic metre water reservoir in Larnaca, upgrading of the project on the Ezoussa aquifer and Polis Chrysochous, as well as expansion of the Paralimni – Ayia Napa network.
