Cyprus plans to tackle water shortages by subsidizing hotel desalination plants

Cyprus is facing a severe water crisis as its fresh water reserves are critically low. This situation has been exacerbated by the second driest winter experienced in a decade. With tourism being a key sector for the island nation, the government is recognizing the necessity of ensuring that there is enough water to meet the demands of millions of visitors during the summer months. In response to this urgent need, Maria Panayiotou, the agriculture and environment minister, announced plans to allocate 3 million euros over the next two years to help fund the construction of private desalination plants at hotels, ensuring these establishments can produce their own fresh water. In addition to helping hotels, the Cypriot government is introducing measures aimed at facilitating the installation of small scale desalination plants in key sectors such as agriculture and tourism. This is part of a broader effort to enhance water conservation and management within the country. The island has been noted to have a national water supply network that is struggling to cope with demand and infrastructure leaks, which can account for water losses of up to 40%. By addressing these critical issues, government initiatives seek to bolster both the water supply and the tourism industry that the country heavily relies on during busy seasons. The government also plans to invest 8 million euros in repairing pipe infrastructure to curb losses from leaks. This step is essential to improving the overall efficiency of the country's water delivery systems. Cyprus has already established four permanent desalination plants that together produce 235,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily. Additionally, four mobile desalination units are set to begin operations soon, adding even more capacity to help manage water demands. The need for further desalination capacity is evident, as Maria Panayiotou mentioned last December that the production of fresh water must be quadrupled in the coming decade. The current state of the dams in Cyprus is concerning, with official figures showing the dams' capacity at only 24.6%, a stark contrast to 47.2% from the previous years. As the island continues to grapple with the implications of climate change, water scarcity poses both environmental and economic challenges that necessitate immediate action from the government and affected sectors.