The water cuts will depend on the management of the District Local Government Organizations (DGOs), as the decision concerns a 10% reduction in the flow in their networks and not immediate interruptions, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Andreas Grigoriou, told CNA.
If managed properly by the EOAs, "people will not be deprived of water and perhaps the cuts will not need to be made," he said, adding that the Ministry believes that there will be no cuts, as long as demand is contained.
Mr. Grigoriou said that the EOAs have been asked to contain demand, while the Ministry will also proceed with an information campaign aimed at the public.
At the same time, he said that meetings have already begun between officials of the Department of Water Development and the EOAs to determine how the decision for a 10% lower flow will be implemented and how the required management will be carried out, so that consumers are not affected. As he noted, the EOAs "have already started and are working" in this direction.
When asked about the reduction in water supply for two days due to the desalination units, Mr. Grigoriou clarified that this is not a production problem, noting that the desalination units work 24 hours a day, but work is carried out by the contractor from time to time.
He reported that maintenance would be carried out, resulting in one of the largest units in Dhekelia being shut down for three days.
He added that the competent department informed the EOA in a timely manner and actions were taken to increase the flow from the refineries and from the dams for water supply purposes. As he said, the period was chosen because demand is reduced, mainly in the tourist areas of the Famagusta district, expressing the assessment that "people will not understand it."
Referring to the planning for 2026, Mr. Grigoriou said that approximately 104 million cubic meters of water will be made available for water supply purposes, a quantity that corresponds to the actual consumption of 2024.
He also indicated that the needs are higher for 2026, as there is an annual increase in water demand of around 4-5%, noting, however, that the EOAs have been asked to take measures to contain demand, since they will receive 10% less water, so that the reduction does not affect consumers.
Source: KYPE
