Cyprus reports critical water shortages and expands desalination capacity

The Cyprus Water Development Department (WDD) announced that desalination now covers approximately 80 percent of the nation's water needs, with a daily output of 245,000 cubic metres. Currently, five permanent plants and two mobile units are operational, with plans to activate two additional mobile units in Kato Polemidia and Limassol port to reach a total of 12 by summer. Despite these efforts, reservoir levels remain critical at 21 percent capacity, down from 25.4 percent during the same period last year. Official data shows stored water has dropped to 61.15 million cubic metres, prompting the government to launch an awareness campaign aiming for a 10 percent reduction in consumption by 2026. Environmental concerns have been raised by residents regarding the deployment of new units in areas like Mazotos, specifically potential impacts on Posidonia oceanica meadows. WDD officials insist all procedures are monitored and approved. Authorities are now stressing the importance of renewable energy integration into desalination processes to ensure cost-efficiency and sustainability.