Water in Cyprus mainly comes from rainfall, which is collected in reservoirs and underground aquifers. Groundwater is also pumped up from wells and desalination plants provide additional freshwater supplies.
Detailed response question
Water is a valuable and scarce resource in Cyprus, which is located in a semi-arid region on the eastern Mediterranean. Despite an average annual rainfall of about 500 millimeters, Cyprus faces water shortages due to high evaporation rates, limited storage capacity, infrastructure challenges, population growth, and climate change impacts. Therefore, the island nation depends on a mix of water sources and management strategies to meet its domestic, agricultural, industrial, and environmental water needs.
According to the Cyprus Water Development Department, the main sources of water in Cyprus are:
- Rainfall: “The main source of freshwater in Cyprus is from the rainfall which is collected from the mountainous catchment areas. The geographical position of Cyprus, in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, exposes the island to both the African and the European climates. As a result, the quantity and intensity of the rainfall vary considerably from year to year and from place to place.”
- Reservoirs: “The water collected from the numerous rivers and streams, and from the direct rainfall on the numerous small dams, is stored in a currently existing 108 dams. The current storage capacity of these dams is approximately 325Mm3.”
- Underground aquifers: “Groundwater resources consist of two types of aquifer – the unconfined Aquifer and the Confined Aquifer. The Confined Aquifer, which is situated at a considerable depth, underlies the whole of the Mesaoria plain, extending from Larnaca in the East to Morphou in the West and to Kyrenia in the North. The Unconfined Aquifer is situated at a shallower depth, underlies the Troodos Massif and the Pentadaktylos Range, and also appears in the narrow coastal strip.”
- Desalination plants: “The first desalination plant for the production of potable water in Cyprus was constructed in 1997 in Dhekelia, Larnaca, with a capacity of 40,000 bcm/year. Since then, four more desalination plants have been constructed in Vasiliko, Limassol, Larnaca/Ammochostos (Ayia Napa) and Pafos. The total capacity of these plants amounts to about 240.000 cubic meters per day.”
Some interesting facts about water in Cyprus:
- Cyprus is the third most water-scarce country in the European Union, after Malta and Italy.
- The water demand in Cyprus is higher than the available supply, which leads to over-pumping of groundwater, depletion of aquifers, and seawater intrusion.
- The agriculture sector is the largest water user in Cyprus, accounting for about 70% of the total water demand.
- The Water Development Department of Cyprus has set a national target of reducing water losses to 20% by 2020, from the current level of more than 50%.
- Cyprus has a Water Museum in Nicosia, which showcases the history, technology, and culture of water in Cyprus and around the world.
In conclusion, water in Cyprus is a complex issue that requires sustainable and integrated management approaches, including water conservation, demand management, water reuse, and innovation in technology and governance. As the Greek proverb says, “Νερό ποτίζεις, σοφία αποσταγματώνεις”, which means “By watering, you nourish; by distilling, you make wise.”
Answer in the video
Cyprus became divided after tensions rose between the Greek and Turkish populations following the country’s independence from Britain, leading to a Greek-backed coup in 1974. Turkey intervened unilaterally to protect the Turkish minority, which embarrassed the military government in Greece and led to international condemnation when Turkey continued to push further across the island. The Turkish Cypriot administration was created, and many people were forced out of their homes and cleared from the north. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot government declared independence, which was only supported by Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Despite international condemnation, the island remains divided today.
There are alternative points of view
CYPRUS IS SUPPLIED WITH WATER BY FIRAT. Cyprus island is not very rich when it comes to water. Almost the entire need for water of the island is supplied with the underground water.
Furthermore, people ask
Similarly, How do people in Cyprus obtain their water?
Answer: Cyprus, Europe’s most water-stressed nation, secures as much as 70 % of its drinking water supply through water desalination. Unfortunately, the island’s main desalination technology – reverse osmosis – is harmful to the environment.
Also question is, Does Cyprus have a water shortage? Response to this: Cyprus is among the EU Member States with the least available water per capita and remains vulnerable to climate change due to droughts and water scarcity.
Does Cyprus import water?
As a response to this: By November, the island will have imported 8.0 million cubic meters of water from Greece. “The water problem is extremely seriousI could even say tragic,” Cypriot Agriculture Minister Michalis Polinikis said on Thursday after signing the import deal in Athens.
Does Cyprus have a desalination plant? The Desalination Plants in Dhekelia and Larnaca satisfy a great part of the drinking water requirements of the Districts of Nicosia, Larnaca and Free Famagusta with a production capacity in total, of a minimum quantity amounting at 32.8 MCM per year.
What is the water like in Cyprus? Sea water finds its way even to the ground, mixing with ground waters, which had been the only supply of fresh water in Cyprus until 1970. There are only several rivers on the island, and most of them are up in Troodos mountain, which makes them not easily (or not at all) accessible.
Where do the rivers of Cyprus come from?
The largest rivers of the island come from the Troodos mountain range, which receives the greatest rainfall from all parts of Cyprus. Man has always been using the river waters to his advantage in various ways. The most important of these are the water supply of residential areas and the irrigation of cultivated land.
Is Cyprus over-stressing groundwater resources? Response: Cyprus has a history of over-stressing groundwater resources. As a result, the country has met the ecological limit for how much water they can pull from the ground. This limit has reduced the water quality in Cyprus considerably. The Cypriot government has been forced to implement measures to reduce water usage in the country.
Thereof, What if I don’t get water reconnection in Cyprus? In reply to that: The Cyprus Department of Water Development is open until 2:00 pm, so if you don’t get there by at least noon, the chances of water being turned on on that day are extremely low. So, you need to come to the local department of the Water Development Department and pay off the debt + €65 for reconnection.
Subsequently, What is the water like in Cyprus?
The response is: Sea water finds its way even to the ground, mixing with ground waters, which had been the only supply of fresh water in Cyprus until 1970. There are only several rivers on the island, and most of them are up in Troodos mountain, which makes them not easily (or not at all) accessible.
Beside above, Where do the rivers of Cyprus come from?
As an answer to this: The largest rivers of the island come from the Troodos mountain range, which receives the greatest rainfall from all parts of Cyprus. Man has always been using the river waters to his advantage in various ways. The most important of these are the water supply of residential areas and the irrigation of cultivated land.
What if I don’t get water reconnection in Cyprus?
The Cyprus Department of Water Development is open until 2:00 pm, so if you don’t get there by at least noon, the chances of water being turned on on that day are extremely low. So, you need to come to the local department of the Water Development Department and pay off the debt + €65 for reconnection.
Moreover, Is Cyprus tap water safe to drink?
[Updated: 2023] Tap water is drinkable in Cyprus, but it’s suggested to drink only after boiling and filtering it. The water may be safe to drink when it leaves the source, but it might collect pollutants (dirt, dust, and other stuff) on its way to your tap. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.