Concerns are mounting over possible water supply cutbacks this summer, as dam levels remain critically low and delays persist in the installation and operation of desalination units. Speaking publicly on the issue, the President of the Limassol District Organisation (EOA), Yiannis Tsouloftas, warned that restrictions on potable water are a very likely scenario, calling for political intervention over prolonged delays in public works.
Although rainfall this month has been relatively satisfactory and has contributed to some improvement in the water balance, anxiety over summer water supply has intensified for two main reasons.
Critically low dam levels
The first is the stark picture of dam reserves, which would require sustained and heavy rainfall to recover to acceptable levels. According to data from the Water Development Department, total dam occupancy stood at just 12.1 percent on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, compared with 26.1 percent on the same date last year.
Delays in desalination projects
The second concern relates to delays in the installation and operation of desalination units by the state. Although the government informed the House Agriculture Committee in October 2024 that a desalination unit with a daily capacity of 10,000 cubic metres would be operational in the Garyllis area of Limassol by June 2025, the project has yet to be implemented. The same applies to a second unit of equal capacity announced for the Limassol port during the same parliamentary session.
Tsouloftas: Cuts are a very likely scenario
Yiannis Tsouloftas was particularly outspoken on these issues in a recent public intervention. Speaking to the online channel Cyprus Media, he said Limassol’s water supply currently depends largely on weather conditions and, specifically, on water reserves at the Kouris and Germasogeia dams.
He noted that the permanent desalination plant in Episkopi covers less than half of Limassol’s needs, unlike Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta, which can rely to a large extent on desalination plants in Dhekelia, Larnaca and Vasilikos. As a result, he stressed, if there is no significant inflow of water into the dams, cuts to drinking water are a very likely outcome.
Criticism of state inefficiency
Tsouloftas also criticised the slow pace of the state machinery in advancing desalination projects in Limassol.
“If you look back at press reports, you will see that the water problem was identified as early as 2023. We are now in 2026 and, unfortunately, we have not managed to install a single desalination unit, with the exception of the unit brought to Cyprus from the UAE through the actions of the President of the Republic,” he said.
He added that the public service continues to operate at the same pace in both normal and crisis conditions, warning that such an approach makes effective crisis management impossible and calling on the entire political system to address the issue.
Mobile units expected by March
According to the Water Development Department, the mobile desalination units planned for the Garyllis area and the Limassol port are currently under construction and are expected to become operational in March, with efforts under way to bring them online as early as February. Their initial announcement dates back to October 2024.
Water Development Department timelines
Speaking to Politis, senior Water Development Department official Michalis Michael confirmed that the two mobile units in Limassol are under construction and expected to operate by March.
Regarding a further mobile unit with a daily capacity of 10,000 cubic metres planned for installation in Episkopi (Kouris) later this summer, he said the tender process has been completed and contract signing with the contractor is imminent.
This unit, along with two others planned for Vasilikos and Ayia Napa, will have their capacity increased following a recent Cabinet decision. According to Michael, this will be implemented as soon as possible, pending the necessary approvals.
Sixth package of Cabinet measures
The Cabinet has recently approved a sixth package of additional measures to address the water crisis, with an estimated additional cost of €31 million for 2026. The strategy is based on three pillars: desalination, infrastructure reinforcement, and demand reduction.
A. Strengthening supply through additional desalination
The Cabinet approved:
- Increased capacity for mobile desalination units in Episkopi, Vasilikos and Ayia Napa.
- Installation of a new mobile desalination unit in Mazotos with a capacity of up to 40,000 cubic metres per day.
- Installation of a floating desalination unit in Germasogeia with a capacity of 20,000 cubic metres per day.
B. Reducing losses and urgent network interventions
An additional state grant of up to €300,000 per District Organisation, totalling €1.5 million for 2026, was approved to support emergency works and services. These interventions include replacing outdated household connections and deploying rapid response teams to detect and address water losses.
C. Demand management and reducing overconsumption
Starting in February and peaking during the summer months, the Ministry of Agriculture will implement:
- A new public awareness campaign aimed at reducing water consumption by 10 percent compared with 2025.
- Provision of water-saving equipment to public buildings, military camps and schools, as well as distribution of water-saving devices to households and premises during 2026.
- Continuation of the €3 million subsidy scheme for small private desalination units.