Cyprus has very low dam water levels. Winter rain was not enough. The government must now use more desalination plants. These plants turn seawater into fresh drinking water.
The island nation will build more desalination plants. This is important for drinking water. However, farmers will get much less water. Coastal communities are worried about the environment.
The government will spend €196 million on water by 2026. Most of this money, €140 million, is for desalinated water. They plan to have twelve desalination units working by summer. Nine are running now. Three more are being ordered.
Desalination will provide about 70% of Cyprus's drinking water. This is the main plan to get enough water. However, this plan hurts Cyprus's farms.
Farmers expect a 30% cut in their water. This could harm their crops. Permanent crops, like fruit and olive trees, might be ruined. Kyriakos Kailas, from the farmers' group, said this. He also said that water from other sources will be very expensive for people.
The livestock industry is also affected. Farmers cannot grow enough food for animals. This is bad for halloumi cheese production. Halloumi is a major export for Cyprus.
Farmers wanted the government to act sooner. They think more should have been done years ago.
There is also a problem with a new desalination plant in Mazotos. People living there are worried about the sea. They fear damage to marine life. A study supports their worries. This is a conflict between needing water and protecting nature.
People in Cyprus might have water restrictions at home. They could lose about 10% of their water in summer 2025. This is in addition to cuts for farmers. The next few months will be hard for Cyprus's economy and nature.