The president of the Analiontas Community Council has rejected claims circulating on social media that water belonging to the community was sold to private interests while residents faced shortages. The comments come as the village continues to deal with a water supply problem that has left some households with little or no water and prompted complaints from residents.
Community authorities say the disruption was caused by a significant fault in the water distribution network and that efforts to identify and repair the problem are ongoing.
Claims of water sales rejected
Community Council President Michalis Herodotou dismissed reports alleging that water from community reservoirs had been diverted to a large company for irrigation purposes while residents faced shortages.
“In no company and to no private individual has water been sold,” Mr Herodotou said.
He added that the community retains full control over its water resources.
“The water belongs 100% to the community and its management remains with the community,” he said, rejecting claims linking the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (EOA) to any sale of water.
Fault identified in water network
Mr Herodotou said the problem first became apparent last week when a drop in water pressure was detected within the distribution system.
According to him, a technician was located within an hour, but subsequent checks revealed that the community was dealing with a more complex technical issue.
“We identified the problem last week when water pressure dropped. We responded immediately and found a technician the same day. We then discovered there was a problem somewhere in the system, and it was a difficult problem,” he said.
Assistance from Nicosia EOA
The community then requested assistance from the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation because it lacks specialised personnel for leak detection.
“We called the EOA because we do not have the expertise as a small community. It responded immediately, without obligation, with staff and equipment capable of detecting leaks,” Mr Herodotou said.
He added that measurements at the community borehole showed continuous production of approximately 22 tonnes of water per hour, while significantly lower quantities were reaching the reservoirs.
According to the community leader, the discrepancy strengthened suspicions that a serious leak exists somewhere within the network.
Measures to maintain supply
To manage the situation, the community implemented a water supply management programme while work began on installing a new turbine and a new pipeline.
“A new turbine is already being installed and a new pipeline will also be installed. We need some time. We are a small community with one employee,” Mr Herodotou said.
He also said water tankers were being used to replenish community reservoirs.
Disagreement over the extent of the disruption
Mr Herodotou disputed reports that residents had been without water for five consecutive days.
He said the most severe problems occurred during the previous two days and that water tankers had been supplying the reservoirs since Monday.
“For the last two days they were without water, and since yesterday we have been bringing water into the reservoir with tankers,” he said.
The community is also obtaining drinking water from Episkopeio and Lythrodontas to help meet demand.
Residents describe prolonged shortages
Residents have provided a different account of the disruption's duration and severity.
Speaking to politis.com.cy, one resident said reduced water supply began on Wednesday and continued through Saturday before stopping completely.
“From Wednesday to Saturday we had very little water. The supply stopped and the tanks were not filled. For two days we showed understanding. We brought in water tankers ourselves to fill our tanks,” the resident said.
According to the resident, several households were forced to pay privately for water deliveries in order to meet basic domestic needs.
Repair works continue
Responding to complaints from residents who paid for private tanker deliveries, Mr Herodotou said he understood their inconvenience but argued that the community could not assume such costs, as doing so would not be consistent with sound financial management.
Work to identify and repair the fault remains ongoing. Community authorities say they expect normal water supply to be fully restored once the planned interventions are completed.
