**NICOSIA** – With the summer months looming, Cyprus faces the unsettling prospect of water rationing, a scenario exacerbated by dwindling water reserves and escalating demand. Authorities have confirmed that the water allocated for supply in 2026 will remain at levels comparable to 2024, a figure that falls approximately 10% short of the island’s actual requirements. This shortfall underscores the precariousness of the current water situation and has prompted the establishment of a dedicated working group tasked with meticulously managing existing reserves and mitigating the risk of widespread restrictions.
The government's strategy to address the growing water deficit involves a multi-pronged approach, including the continued application of an environmental levy on water consumption. This levy, which has been gradually implemented since 2020, primarily targets substantial water users. However, its imposition has ignited significant disquiet within the agricultural sector. Representatives from agricultural committees and farmer unions have voiced grave concerns about the financial strain this levy places on producers who do not benefit from official irrigation projects.
A particular point of contention revolves around retrospective charges for water abstracted from private boreholes. Legislation enacted in 2017 paved the way for this levy, and some farmers are now confronting substantial back payments for water used over extended periods. Michalis Lytras, Honorary President of the Panagrotic Union of Cyprus (PEK), highlighted the potentially crippling impact of these retrospective demands. "If a farmer consumed water that, for example, was supposed to be paid for at 100 euros, when after 10 years an amount of 1000 euros is demanded, there may be no possibility of repayment," Lytras stated. He elaborated that while farmers might have been able to afford the original sum at the time of consumption, current economic conditions could render a tenfold increase unmanageable. The sheer length of time some farmers have had to wait for these bills – up to nine years in some instances – further compounds the financial shock.
Andreas Gregoriou, Director General of the Agriculture Ministry, acknowledged the delicate balancing act required. He affirmed that the decision to maintain the 2026 water allocation at 2024 levels was a strategic one, aimed at prudent reserve management. The newly formed working group, comprising representatives from the Water Development Department and District Local Government Organisations, is expected to play a pivotal role in this endeavour. Their mandate includes the careful monitoring of water levels and the implementation of measures to ensure equitable distribution, thereby striving to avert the necessity of drastic water cutbacks.
However, the agricultural community remains apprehensive. Many farmers argue that the environmental levy, particularly when applied retrospectively and without the benefit of subsidised irrigation infrastructure, disproportionately burdens them. There are also investigations underway into potential administrative oversights or errors in the application of regulations pertaining to private borehole abstraction, suggesting that some of these retrospective charges might be subject to review. The ongoing dialogue between the authorities and the agricultural sector is crucial as Cyprus navigates the complex challenge of securing its water future amidst increasing environmental pressures and competing demands. The coming months will be a critical test of the efficacy of current water management strategies and the government's ability to address the legitimate concerns of its agricultural producers.