Water from desalination plants in Moni on 22 July

On 22 July, as promised, water production and supply to the network will begin from the desalination units received from the United Arab Emirates and installed at Moni, according to the Acting Director of the Water Development Department (WDD), George Kazantzis.

He told CNA that 2,000 cubic metres of water are also expected from the unit in Kissonerga in July.

The units in Moni have a capacity of 13,000 cubic metres of water per day, said Kazantzis, adding that construction of the desalination plant in Kissonerga had begun, which will provide 2,000 cubic metres per day, and that this amount is expected to be supplied in July. He clarified that the 2,000 cubic metres per day is the first instalment, explaining that the initial contract provided for 10,000 cubic metres, but in order to strengthen Paphos' water production during the summer, 2,000 cubic metres were added to be supplied immediately (in July).

The contractor is expected to provide a timetable for the larger units for the 10,000 cubic metres per day, he continued, adding at the same that initial time estimates put the production and supply of water between September and October.

He clarified that, the contractor has until December to deliver, but there is a possibility that 10,000 cubic metres could be supplied earlier.

With regard to water management in general, Kazantzis said that “the appeal to the Review Authority for Public Procurement was rejected and the desalination contract is being awarded to Garillis for the production of 10,000 cubic metres per day”. If all goes well, he added, “December 2025 to January 2026 will strengthen the water balance”.

Regarding the desalination plant at the port of Limassol for another 10,000 cubic metres per day, WDD Acting Director said that the tender process has been completed and the Department has selected the highest bidder and is proceeding with the award process. He said that this plant has a project completion time of four months and, if there are no appeals that cause delays, it is expected to be completed within 2025.

“At present, the water situation remains difficult, as it has been since the beginning of the year, but the scenarios prepared at the beginning of the year have not changed and are being monitored on a weekly and monthly basis”, he commented, adding that although the dams are emptying, based on the scenarios prepared at the beginning of the year and as things stand, “no significant problems are expected to arise in 2025.”

At the same time, he noted that the big problem is that by the end of the year the dams will be empty and therefore “all our efforts are focused to ensure water sufficiency, at least for water supply in 2026, regardless of the amount of rainfall next winter.”

Regarding irrigation, Kazantzis said that “the situation is much more difficult”, adding that “we continue to provide the quantities approved for 2025.”, while the quantities of water to be provided in 2026 will depend on rainfall and flows in the dams, as he clarified.