A major development project is underway that will solve the water supply problem in Famagusta. At the same time, another project will solve the water supply problem in Nicosia.
The Kokkinokremmos - Famagusta water project will cost € 17 million with national funds, and includes the construction of a 26 km long water transfer pipeline from the existing Dhekelia Desalination Unit to the Kokkinokremmos area as well as the construction of 10 tanks with a total capacity of 40.000 she. In the first stage, three tanks are constructed.
The second project in Nicosia concerns the pipeline from the Vasilikos desalination plant in Nicosia at a cost of € 55 million with the financing of the project € 40 million. The construction of 170 km of pipelines aims to solve the problem of Nicosia's dependence on the water pipeline from Tersefanos .
Both projects are very important as they will cover the water supply needs of the areas regardless of the weather conditions, solving the long-standing problems of water supply and enhancing the reliability of the water distribution network with alternative supply. It is noted that due to drought and drinking water availability, these areas are supplied exclusively with desalinated water.
Danger to thirst 100 thousand inhabitants in Famagusta
Risk of running out of water 100 thousand permanent residents of the province of Famagusta today due to the age of the existing main pipeline. This issue will finally end with the alternative water source that is promoted in the area through the pipeline that will connect the desalination of Dhekelia with Kokkinochoria.
The Kokkinokremmos project, which includes the construction of a 26 km long pipeline from the existing desalination unit of Dhekelia to the Kokkinokremmos hill. The new transmission pipeline and the 10 storage tanks will be interconnected with the existing water supply system.
The proposed route of the transmission pipeline was preliminarily determined by the Department of Water Development taking into account criteria such as existing slave lanes, existing infrastructure, etc. According to the environmental impact assessment study prepared by IACO Environmental and Water Consultants Ltd, the area in which the proposed pipeline extends exceeds the administrative boundaries of the communities of Ormideia, Xylotympou (marginal), Xylofagou, Liopetri, Sotirakas, and Sotira. ) and Ayia Napa. It is also noted that a significant length of the proposed pipeline passes through areas beyond the control of the Republic of Cyprus, namely a length of about 10,5 km of the pipeline passes through the Eastern Area of the British Bases.
The Kokkinokremmos project as a whole concerns the construction of five new water storage tanks on the Kokkinokremmos hill in the Sotiras Forest, and the construction of the transmission pipeline.
Overall, it aims to meet the water needs in the areas of the free Province of Famagusta (Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira) and to improve the reliability of the drinking water supply system in the tourist areas and in the other communities of Kokkinochoria and Larnaca province. Today the area faces the following problems:
1) The small storage capacity of water supply tanks in the areas of free Famagusta (Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira), which creates an inability to meet water supply needs during peak days, as well as limited time security of water supply in case of technical supply drinking water supply system.
2) The obsolescence of the existing main transport pipeline (Choirokoitia - Famagusta), as well as the absence of an alternative source of water supply in the area, issues which increase the problem of water supply security, both in the aforementioned areas of free Famagusta and other communities of the province of Larnaca supplied with water from the same pipeline. Based on the 2011 Population Census, it is estimated that in case of failure of the water distribution system in the area, the water supply of approximately 99,5 thousand permanent residents will be affected.
3) A significant weakness of the existing water distribution system is the high energy consumption.
As a whole, the previous problems are addressed with the implementation of the Kokkinokremmos project as follows.
1) The proposed new reservoirs will provide 48-hour water supply security in the areas of free Famagusta during peak days. The five new tanks have a total capacity of about 35.000 m³.
2) The proposed transmission pipeline will improve the reliability of the drinking water supply system in all areas that are currently supplied with water from the obsolete pipeline Choirokoitia - Famagusta. It is noted that the age of the existing Choirokoitia - Famagusta pipeline is over 50 years and consists of asbestos pipe. Due to its long use but also the particular intensity and sharp fluctuations in its use which is due to the rapid development of the area of Ayia Napa - Paralimni in recent years, the existing pipeline is prone to failures. The construction of the proposed pipeline will give the opportunity of the gradual upgrade / replacement of the old pipeline.
3) The new proposed water distribution system is expected to bring significant savings in energy consumption which according to the Preliminary Study of the project amount to 3,2 million kwh per year.
Nicosia: 28 communities will be supplied with water
The project of Vasilikos - Nicosia includes the construction of more than 170 km of pipelines, pumping stations and other supporting infrastructure projects capable of transporting more than 50.000 m3 of desalinated water per day to meet the growing needs of the city of Nicosia and the 28 communities in the western province of Nicosia.
At the same time, in addition to the 28 communities, it is proposed that the Municipalities of Tseri and Lakatamia be supplied with water by the project. It is also proposed the creation of five additional water reservoirs and six pumping stations in the communities of Kofinou, Nisos, Lakatamia, Kambia, Akaki, Arediou and Choirokoitia and the area of Stavrovouni.
According to the environmental impact assessment study for the construction of transmission pipelines, tanks and pumping stations of the first and second phase of the project prepared by Atlantis Consulting Cyprus, the project aims to meet water supply needs and improve the reliability of the supply system. drinking water in the greater Nicosia area, mainly the area of western Mesaoria.
This project is considered necessary due to the ever-increasing needs of the communities for water, which at this stage are supplied exclusively by the Tersefanos - Nicosia pipeline.
The measures proposed in the study aim to reduce / avoid the effects that have been identified and to ensure the maintenance of the good state of the environment. The good condition of the environment presupposes the compliance with the legislation and the other criteria that will be set by the study and that concern the quality of the environment and the preservation of protected / sensitive areas and important elements of the study area.
The monitoring program provides the monitoring of the elements and parameters of the environment that will be considered important for the study area. The program describes the parameters to be monitored and the methods, frequency and locations of monitoring. In addition, it describes the procedures for recording and evaluating the results. The researchers believe that the project will have an overall positive impact on the immediate and wider study area.
It is noted that it is crucial to strictly implement all the proposed measures, based on the legislation and the implementation of the safety and health program for employees and visitors, while at the same time a strict monitoring program should be implemented so that any problems are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
28 communities will be supplied with water
The following 28 communities will be supplied with water by the project: Agios Ioannis Maloundas, Agioi Trimithias, Agrokipia, Akaki, Anagya, Analyontas, Arediou, Astromeritis, Denia, Episkopio, Ergates, Kambia, Kapedes, Kato Deftekno, Klitia, Klitia, , Mammari, Marki, Meniko, Mitsero, Pano Deftera, Paliometocho, Pera, Peristerona, Politiko, Psimolofou.
Source: Phileleftheros / Angelos Nikolaou