The capacity in Cyprus’ dams has reached 69.4% compared to 89.1% last year, according to updated figures by the Water Development Department. The department’s deputy Director Lia Georgiou said that these figures are alarming because only 202 million cubic meters of water have flowed in, 59 million less than last year, when capacity reached 89.1%. The flow in the last 24 hours was only half a million and since the beginning of the water year in October, only 37.5 million cubic meters of water flowed in the island’s dams. Georgiou, who spoke to the Cyprus News Agency on the occasion of World Water Day, on March 22, said that the highest capacity is recorded at the dam in Argaka, Pafos district, with 98.9% and at Xyliatou which has overflowed with 100% capacity. Kouris, Cyprus’ biggest dam, is currently at 64.4% of its capacity. Georgiou said that undoubtedly these figures are worrying and this is a drought year. She said that from October 2022 until now we have only 37 million cubic meters while the average annual amount of the decade is approximately 92 million cubic meters. She explained that the water management advisory committee will convene at the end of the month to discuss with agricultural organisations the quantities that will be given to agriculture and for desalination purposes. According to Georgiou, this committee will advise the Minister on the course of action and the measures to be taken. But she said that they are not going to take any different measures than every year, noting that the discussion is taking place because they want no complacency. ‘There is vigilance but no panic,’ she underlined. Deputy Director of WDD went on to say that each of us should follow simple tips and instructions to save water, starting from our own household. Georgiou said that the monitoring is done in the context of the operation of the desalination contracts by each contractor of each unit and that her department makes sure that the water is within quality specifications when delivered to local authorities and district Water Boards. She clarified that as regards the quality of water for human use from the taps in our homes, the responsibility is with the health services. Georgiou told the Cyprus News Agency that so far there has been no alarming incident and that if corrective measures are needed, they are taken. She assured that water is safe and there is no immediate risk for human health. Regarding the damage to pipes and ducts that lead to large leaks and waste of water, Georgiou said that so far we have not had any special cases and that preventive maintenance is being done to avoid such damage and phenomena. She urged the public to report network leaks to the 24-hour hotline for immediate response. Asked about possible water contamination due to the discharge of chemicals and other substances into drains, she said that Sewerage Boards are responsible for receiving and treatment and that within their regulations they have restrictions on certain substances. But she explained that usually, no special deviations are expected from households and that is more likely to have issues with factories and industrial units. Georgiou told the Cyprus News Agency that up until now, everything was handled according to the specifications. She said that her department has experienced and properly trained technical and scientific staff who monitor all situations and go above and beyond to ensure that the water is up to standard and in accordance to the law for human consumption. Asked about the UN’s sustainable development goals for water, Georgiou said that first and foremost it must be properly managed and the focus should be on energy consumption, because energy is converted and expressed in a carbon footprint and this contributes to and affects climate change. She said that our facilities must be completely dependent on renewable energy sources, or have low carbon emissions in order not to exacerbate the existing problem.
Source: Cyprus News Agency