Cyprus has approved a new plan for water supply until 2026. This plan expects less water than people will need. The government will watch water resources very carefully. The Ministry of Agriculture suggested this plan. Ministers decided to give about 10% less water than expected. This is because of a study of water in reservoirs and plants that make fresh water.
Water is already not enough for everyone in 2024. Consumption is increasing. The Ministry says water overuse is a big problem. Minister Maria Panayiotou said, "Water overuse remains a significant problem." We need to change how we use water. We also need to improve our systems.
The new plan will give around 104 million cubic meters of water. This is for homes and general use. The plan depends on how much water Cyprus can make. This includes current desalination plants. It also includes new plants that will start soon. However, the plan needs these estimates to be correct. People must also save more water.
Andreas Grigoriou from the Ministry warned about the future. He said, "Without improvements, the reduced allocation could lead to water cuts." This is a warning that authorities want to avoid. However, it is possible if we do not manage water better. The plan gives less water because there are real limits.
This plan means more public awareness campaigns. People will need to save water more. Residents and businesses will be asked to use less water. There could be water rationing if demand is too high. Therefore, the government is trying to increase supply and help people save water. This will be a big test for Cyprus.