The intense pressure on the country's water balance is considered extremely serious, with the government implementing an integrated policy that combines the strengthening of production, the reduction of losses in the networks, the utilization of reclaimed water, the upgrading of infrastructure, savings and the revision of long-term water policy.
At the heart of this effort is the reclaimed water produced by the tertiary treatment of urban wastewater, which offers a stable, uninterrupted and rainfall-independent water source.
Despite significant strides and international distinctions, questions are often raised about the effectiveness of state policy, the obstacles to the full utilization of the resource, and the plan to strengthen the water resilience of Cyprus.
On the question of whether state policy has failed in the face of the pressures on the water balance, the official position of the State is clear: There is no question of failure, but of the need for a clear recognition of weaknesses and a continuous adjustment of the strategy, without nullifying the effort that is underway.
No single project (e.g. only dams or only desalination) can solve the problem on its own. The technical forecasts are constantly updated according to changes in inputs, consumption and projects put into operation.
The severity of the situation is reflected in the monitoring data of the Groundwater Systems (SYS), where out of the 21 SYS in the country, only 5 are in good condition (quantitatively and qualitatively), while 16 are in poor condition, which is primarily due to the negative quantitative balance. In good condition and, therefore, not vulnerable to the occurrence of water scarcity phenomena are the Maroni, Treminthos Riverbed, Germasogeia, Paphos, Mari – Kalo Chorio Systems.
It is noted, however, that 14 out of the 21 SYS maintain a good quality status. The 21 Systems are: Kokkinochoria, Treminthos Riverbed, Kiti – Pervolia, Softades – Vasilikos, Maroni, Mari – Kalo Chorio, Germasogeia, Limassol, Akrotiri – Kolossi, Akrotiri, Paramali – Avdimou, Paphos, Ezousa Riverbed, Letymvou – Giolou, Pegeia, Androlikou, Chrysochou – Gialia, Chrysochou Riverbed, Pyrgos, Central and Western Mesaoria, Lefkara – Pachna, Troodos.
The Androlikou and Lefkara-Pachna Systems are characterized as being of poor quality. The Androlikos System shows negative values in the level, while the Lefkaras – Pachna System shows a downward trend in the level. In addition, the Lefkara – Pachna SYY is also judged to be of poor quality condition and is not recommended for water supply use.
In the Western Mesaoria zone, measurements show that water is not suitable for human consumption.
The Systems of high vulnerability to drought are Kokkinochoria, Treminthos Riverbed, Kiti – Pervolia, Softades – Vasilikos, Maroni, Mari – Kalo Chorio, Limassol, Akrotiri, Paramali – Avdimou, Letymvou – Giolou, Pegeia, Chrysochou – Gylia, Chrysochou Riverbed, Central and Western Mesaoria, Lefkara – Pachna.
Cyprus is already among the leading countries in the European Union in terms of the utilization of reclaimed water, recording one of the highest recovery rates.
30 million cubic meters of water are being used per year
The reuse of tertiary treated water produced in urban wastewater treatment plants for irrigation of green spaces and crops, provides additional protection against drought, replaces an equal number of fresh water to enhance water supply, contributes to increasing agricultural production due to the nutrients contained in recycled water, as well as maintaining traditional agriculture in drought conditions, enriches the groundwater where it is applied (Ezousa and Akrotiri), contributing to the halting of marine infiltration and in the long term to the improvement of the quality of coastal aquifers.
Significant infrastructure has been implemented to date and about 30 million cubic meters are already being used per year, but the implementation of important other infrastructure projects is required to fully exploit the ever-increasing amounts of recycled water produced by wastewater treatment plants.
In 2025, the total production of reclaimed water reached 32.6 million. cubic meters, of which 30.1 ECM were used directly or indirectly. Total utilization has seen a steady upward trend, rising from 89% in 2023 to 90% in 2024 and reaching 93% in 2025.
About 90% of the reclaimed water produced is channelled to the agricultural sector, covering almost 37% of the country's total irrigation needs. Indicatively, in 2024, 20 ECM of reclaimed water was made available for irrigation, compared to 33 ECM from dams.
55% is used directly for the irrigation of crops, while 30% is used indirectly through the enrichment of underground aquifers and its subsequent recovery.
At sea, part of the recycled water
Despite the high rates, some of the reclaimed water is still not fully exploited or temporarily disposed of at sea. Full exploitation does not depend only on the quantity produced, but also comes up against objective technical and geographical challenges.
In particular, extensive transmission networks and appropriate storage infrastructure are required. There is often a distance between Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and agricultural areas in need of irrigation. Wastewater production is continuous throughout the year, while the demand for irrigation peaks during the summer months. It is necessary to ensure the appropriate quality depending on the type of use.
Where treated effluents are discharged into the sea, this is done on the basis of strict environmental conditions and permits. The goal remains to replace it with storage and transport infrastructure, such as the example of Limassol, where 13 ECMs are available annually for irrigation.
The next step of the national planning focuses on increasing the available quantities of water themselves. The full connection of households and businesses to sewerage systems is estimated to add about 22 million cubic meters of reclaimed water per year. With the completion of new Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTPs) by 2030, the quantities produced will be further increased.
The National Water Projects Investment Plan includes significant investments, such as the €25.7 million Larnaca reclaimed water project, as well as projects in Nicosia, Limassol and the Free District of Famagusta.
In the context of the implementation of the European Regulation (EU) 2020/741, the Water Development Department (WDD) has prepared a Risk Management Plan to ensure public health, environmental protection and water quality.
Reclaimed water is proving to be one of the most reliable allies against water scarcity. It relieves the pressure on dams and burdened underground aquifers and offers farmers a stable source of irrigation. Although the challenges remain great, state policy seeks through a network of infrastructure projects, desalination and saving actions by 2030 to fully shield the water resilience of Cyprus.
