The Water Development Department is planning €3.5 million worth of projects in 2027 to increase the amount of recycled water available to Cyprus’ primary sector.
The projects are detailed in the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, which has been submitted to Parliament and is due to be examined by the Finance Committee on 2 November. The funding will cover infrastructure using recycled water produced at wastewater treatment plants for irrigation.
Nicosia reservoirs and pipelines
In the Nicosia district, plans include the construction of three 500,000-cubic-metre recycled water storage reservoirs, at Vathia Gonia, Anthoupoli and Paliometocho.
They also provide for a 13,000-cubic-metre balancing reservoir, pumping station, connecting pipelines and associated infrastructure, as well as a new 1.3-million-cubic-metre storage reservoir at Vathia Gonia.
Pipelines will be purchased and installed for the Dali-Potamia-Agios Sozomenos and Geri irrigation networks and for municipal green spaces.
A pipeline is also planned to transport recycled water from the Mia Milia treatment plant to the government-controlled areas for irrigation.
Limassol treatment plants
In Limassol, pipelines are planned to connect the Western Limassol Wastewater Treatment Plant under construction in Polemidia with the existing recycled water irrigation network.
Projects will also make use of recycled water produced by the Moni and Polemidia wastewater treatment plants.
Funding covers the design and construction of the necessary infrastructure, including a pipeline to transport water either to the existing irrigation network or to Akrotiri aquifer recharge reservoirs, allowing the irrigation network to be directly connected with the new treatment plant.
Larnaca reservoir repairs
In Larnaca, funding will cover repairs to an earthen recycled water storage reservoir with a capacity of 500,000 cubic metres.
Projects in Paphos
The budget includes expenditure on preliminary work for a recycled water utilisation system in Polis Chrysochous.
It also provides for upgrading infrastructure used to utilise recycled water from the Ezousa aquifer.
Paralimni and Ayia Napa network upgrade
In the Famagusta district, the existing Paralimni and Ayia Napa recycled water network is set to be upgraded and expanded.
€2 million for sewerage projects
The 2027 budget also includes funding for connections to sewerage systems.
Cyprus has been subject to EU infringement proceedings since 2012 over the failure to complete required sewerage projects. According to the Agriculture Ministry, full connection to sewerage systems could provide approximately 22 million additional cubic metres of reclaimed water annually.
The budget includes €2 million in government contributions to District Local Government Organisations for three categories of work:
- Sewerage projects in rural communities covered by the implementation programme for Directive 91/271/EEC on urban wastewater.
- Tertiary treatment at wastewater treatment plants operated by District Local Government Organisations.
- Stormwater projects.
A further €500,000 is allocated for sewerage projects in rural settlements with population equivalents below 2,000 that do not fall under the Directive 91/271/EEC implementation programme. These projects will be constructed by the Water Development Department.
Another €200,000 is earmarked for the design and construction of additional infrastructure to improve and upgrade the treatment facility for domestic septic waste, industrial wastewater, excess sludge and leachate at Vati in Limassol.
The additional infrastructure is required for the facility’s effective operation. The project's total cost is €1,391,270.
