The water development department, responding on Thursday to media reports of stalled drilling in Ayia Marina Chrysochous, said the project falls under the Paphos district administration.

“The competence and responsibility for the exploitation of drilling, as well as for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the water infrastructure and any other issue relating to the community’s water supply, belong exclusively to the relevant district government,” the department said.

Reports on Wednesday claimed that, despite the island’s urgent need for water and low reservoir levels, authorities had yet to determine who is leading the project or to install the required pump in the borehole.

Two and a half months after its launch, the €35,000 project, which could provide up to 1,000 cubic metres of water daily, has reportedly failed to supply nearby areas with the much-needed water.

The issue came to light on Tuesday after a turbine failure at the old borehole that supplies local communities, raising fears that households could be left without water.

The department explained that locating and test-pumping the boreholes was carried out by the geological department, while its own role was limited to setting drilling protection zones and issuing the necessary water-abstraction permits.

“The continuous cooperation of all competent bodies for the rational management of water resources is of particular importance at this time, taking into account that we are experiencing the third consecutive year of drought,” WDD said, adding that it aimed for ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality and sustainable water supply.