Integrated water resources planning in Cyprus

Abstract

Water is by far the most precious resource in Cyprus. It is a prerequisite for progress. All aquifers in Cyprus, as of 1970, are overexploited beyond their safe yield. As a result sea intruded into most of the coastal aquifers. The depletion of both the quantity and quality of groundwater coupled with the concurrent increase in the demand necessitated the development of the surface water sources. The impressive development of the conventional sources – groundwater and surface water – that followed proved to be insufficient for facing successfully the extreme droughts of the last decade. The situation was not sustainable. The new water policy, or Master Plan is imaginative and flexible and safeguards sustainability. Its objectives are the balance of the supply with the demand water sectors, the maintenance and enhancement of the water quality and the integrated management of the water resources via a single competent water authority/institution. This can be achieved through the following measures/actions that are holistically applied: (1) Secure additional sources of water supply; (2) Introduce “Demand Management” and ensure efficient use of water; (3) Modify the current crop and water allocation matrix. Implement water banking; (4) Curtail the irrigated land area; (5) Recover the aquifers and build up strategic groundwater reserves; (6) Maintain and enhance the quality of the water and of the environment; (7) Establish a ‘Water Entity’ for effective and efficient management.