Cyprus to Increase Desalination Capacity Amid Water Shortages
Cyprus is set to enhance its reliance on desalination plants to address significant water shortages caused by a series of dry winters. Agriculture and Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou announced plans to deploy four additional mobile desalination units by October 2025, each capable of producing 30,000 cubic meters of potable water daily. This expansion will supplement the existing five desalination plants, which currently produce a combined total of 235,000 cubic meters per day, with one temporarily out of service due to a fire.
In the long term, the government aims to upgrade and expand all desalination facilities to increase daily freshwater production fourfold. Plans include constructing two new plants, each with a daily output of 140,000 cubic meters, to fully meet the island's water needs for decades to come. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to address the challenges posed by climate change, which has led to more frequent dry winters and reduced dam capacities.
Short-term measures, estimated to cost €66.4 million, involve drilling additional boreholes to access groundwater and repairing the water distribution system to minimize losses. The government is also promoting water conservation through public awareness campaigns and the adoption of water-saving technologies in agriculture. Minister Panayiotou emphasized the importance of collective efforts in managing this vital resource, stating, "Conserving water is a matter for us all. We don't have the luxury to waste water."
These steps reflect Cyprus's commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply for its population, which is currently facing the driest conditions in half a century. The government's proactive approach aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change and secure water resources for future generations.
Market Cyprus - News Service
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