Cabinet ponders ways of tackling water shortage

Cyprus is experiencing its 10th worst year of rainfall since 1900, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Wednesday as she announced a number of measures aimed at tackling the extended period of drought.

Measures range from toughening fines to increases in water treatment systems and offering subsidies, amid serious concerns for the country’s agricultural sector.

“We are experiencing an extended period of drought and as such, cabinet has approved a number of measures aimed at tackling this and the challenges that come with it,” Panayiotou said after a cabinet meeting.

Challenges concern available water supply and irrigating the country’s agricultural sector.

Measures include exploiting boreholes between July and December this year, with the aim of boosting water supply for farmers.

The government will also treat brackish water by installing five water treatment systems for irrigation purposes, she said.

All steps will be taken in cooperation with district organisations and water authorities, with the goal of reducing water loss and waste.

Panayiotou said the government also decided to toughen the law surrounding water waste and will move to increase fines and improve the way it is implemented.

Subsidies will be rolled out for investments in smart irrigation systems aimed at saving water and improving the infrastructure of irrigation departments and reduce losses.

There will also be subsidies offered to privately install small seawater treatment plants for irrigation purposes. This is eligible for farmers and producers to improve water supply, particularly for communities that have emergency water supply needs due to the drought.

The minister added a public campaign will be rolled out with the aim of better educating the public to reduce water consumption.

This includes a specific education scheme, targeting farmers. It will support them in better water management and utilise available tools related to adverse climate-related events to support farmers.

The government has long-warned of low water levels in dams and reservoirs are an ongoing cause for concern, despite authorities having announced a slew of projects to beat potential water shortages.

They include water supply works, drainage of effluents and reclaimed water and irrigation works, expected to be completed by 2029.

An additional 60 projects are being planned, with start and completion dates slated between 2025 and 2030. Included are projects to strengthen water security in urban and other areas.

The national investment plan for water, being drawn up for the first time, follows a proposal by the water development department and a decision by the cabinet, with the ministry of agriculture in charge of monitoring implementation.

Earlier this week, farmers announced they would protest over the ongoing water shortage, demanding more be allocated to farmland.