Water management: Administration and legislation

Abstract

A concise review of the evolution of water resources administration in Cyprus is provided and the current changes in water resources related legislation and institutions within the context of EU harmonization is documented. The inherited problematic institutional arrangement for water resources management in Cyprus is highlighted. In particular, the previous legislation, which divided the responsibility for water resources administration between several ministries that exercised overlapping jurisdictions, caused duplication of efforts, and occasionally lack of action, is discussed. These weaknesses and deficiencies have been targeted and largely corrected through the development of the new and unified legislation in accordance with the requirements of the EU WFD.