A water transport pipeline is currently being built to connect the Dhekelia Desalination Plant to the Kokkinokremos reservoir in the free Famagusta area. The aim is to meet the region’s water needs and improve the reliability of its drinkable water supply system.
The €31.5m project involves the municipalities of Paralimni, Deryneia and Ayia Napa, as well as the Communities of Xylofagou and Ormideia in the Larnaca district.
The new cast-iron water pipeline will have a diameter of 900 millimoles (mM) and a total length of 25.3 km, and will be fed by two existing tanks within the Dhekelia Desalination Plant, with a capacity of 5,000m3 and 2,500m3 respectively, to the Kokkinokremos reservoir. The project also includes the construction of five Glass Lined Steel (GLS) tanks with a total capacity of 35,000m3 in the Kokkinokremmos reservoir area, and a new pump station within the Dhekelia Desalination Plant area.
The pipeline is co-funded by EU Cohesion Policy Funds and national contributions, under the "THALIA 2021-2027" Cohesion Policy Programme.
The existing water transport pipeline between Chirokitia and Famagusta is over 50 years old, and only has the capacity to cover water needs for two hours during peak tourism season.
So, the aim is to improve water supply security in the free Famagusta area by creating an alternative source of supply that is independent from existing infrastructure. It will also increase capacity to store water for a period of 48 hours during peak tourist periods.
The project has a budget of €31.5m and is expected to be delivered at some point in 2029. It is being overseen by the Water Development Department.
The "THALIA 2021-2027" programme is Cyprus' Cohesion Policy Programme, aiming to foster economic competitiveness and social development using EU funds. With a budget of €1.81 billion, it focuses on smart, digital, and green investments, full employment, social inclusion, and strengthening the economy. The program is designed to utilize resources from EU Cohesion Policy Funds and national contributions.
