President of the Paphos regional water authority Charalambos Pittokopitis said that the water supply in Paphos was “at a good and manageable level,” though difficulties with irrigation remain.
In a statement to the Cyprus News Agency, Pittokopitis said that the delay in the supply of desalinated water from the mobile units in Moni in Limassol does not create any problems in Paphos. He said that water is expected to be provided from private boreholes after the installation of small desalination units in Paphos, Ha-Potami, and Potima in July.
He added that the fully restoration of the unit in Kouklia, with an expected capacity of 15,000 cubic metres of water per day, is expected around mid-August.
Last December, the Kouklia plant was destroyed by fire.
Pittokopitis said that three boreholes were already connected to the Peyia water supply in collaboration with the municipality of Peyia, with the Paphos water development authority awaiting the water development department’s approval to connect two boreholes in the Meleti forest.
Regarding irrigation, Pittokopitis said the situation was difficult, and that the Paphos regional water authority are awaiting the meeting of the district water development engineer with the director of the water development department and the ministry of agriculture, rural development, and environment.
He added that Peyia and Kissonerga face the biggest issue with their banana plantations. According to Pittokopitis, the quantities of water allocated to banana farmers are insufficient for their crops.
However, Pittokopitis said that there is an explicit commitment from the state to compensate lost income.
Pittokopitis appealed for water to be used and consumed with caution and moderation.
“We are dealing with a critical situation in terms of water, and we must all understand the difficulties we are facing, both as the Paphos district authority and the water development department,” he said.
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