Recent rainfall delivered around 140,000 cubic metres of water to Cyprus' reservoirs over the past 24 hours, with approximately 118,000 cubic metres flowing into Kouris Dam, according to Alexios Frageskos, Executive Engineer at the Water Development Department.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Wednesday, Frageskos said the rainfall was unexpected for August but stressed that it does not alter the overall water situation or the country's water management plans, although it is highly beneficial for irrigation.
He noted that while the August rainfall was unusual, the inflows were not the highest ever recorded for the period. During the summer of 2019, inflows were approximately double the current level.
"They do not affect the overall picture at all," he said when asked whether the recent rainfall changes the situation, adding that the rains are "extremely beneficial" for irrigation.
Frageskos explained that some crops require watering two to three times a week on average. As a result, farmers have effectively saved one or two irrigation cycles, helping reduce their annual water consumption.
He said water planning remains unchanged, noting that supplying Cyprus' cities requires approximately 300,000 to 350,000 cubic metres of water per day.
Asked whether there is sufficient water for domestic supply through the end of the year, Frageskos replied affirmatively, pointing out that more than 75% of drinking water needs are currently covered by desalination plants.
He added that there are currently no restrictions in place and that water stored in reservoirs stands at about 120 million cubic metres, equivalent to roughly 40% of total storage capacity.
"We are not in the position we were in last year, but we remain very cautious," he said.
Frageskos noted that, because rainfall and inflow patterns have become increasingly unpredictable in recent years, the department must be prepared to continually adjust both its data and planning.
No extra irrigation water foreseen
Asked about the possibility of allocating additional quantities of water from the Southern Conveyor Project for the upcoming potato planting season, an issue expected to be raised by farming organisations with the new Agriculture Minister, Frageskos said there appears to be little room for additional irrigation supplies.
He explained that the department, recognising mistakes made in the past, now evaluates scenarios over a three-year horizon rather than on a year-by-year basis.
"Over a three-year period and based on the conservative scenarios we examine, we do not have the level of water security that would allow us to feel comfortable allocating additional quantities," he said.
He added that if the department is asked to examine the issue, it will respond in whatever way it can.
Recycled water increasingly important
Discussing reclaimed water, Frageskos said that more than 20 million cubic metres are used annually across Cyprus for irrigation of crops where such use is permitted.
He cited Limassol district as a notable example, saying irrigation there is carried out almost entirely using reclaimed water.
As more areas are connected to sewerage systems and larger volumes of urban wastewater become available, additional quantities of reclaimed water can be supplied for agricultural use, he added.
Frageskos also said projects planned for the coming years will make reclaimed water available to new areas, citing Anthoupoli in eastern Nicosia as a recent example.
Call for continued conservation
Concluding, Frageskos urged the public to continue conserving water despite the recent rainfall.
"We should not only remember it when conditions become very bad," he said.
He stressed that water conservation should become embedded in public awareness and form part of everyday culture.
Source: CNA
