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A small corner of northwestern Cyprus is preparing to test a rather big idea: whether some of the island’s water can be collected from the air.
Lake Pachyammos, an existing reservoir near the remote coastal village of the same name, has been selected for an environmental restoration project aimed at finding practical ways to tackle water scarcity.
For anyone wondering where that is, Pachyammos is in the Tillyria region, on Cyprus’ northwestern coast. Although administratively part of the Nicosia district, it lies about four kilometers east of Pomos and immediately west of the occupied Kokkina enclave. It is normally reached through the Paphos and Polis area.
Under the European WATERISE project, the reservoir will be cleaned, restored, and reopened, while its banks and water systems will be repaired to improve its environmental and hydrological function.
But the more unusual part of the plan is what will be built around it.
An artificial wetland will use aquatic plants and natural filtration to treat and recycle water. A separate pilot system will attempt to collect water from humidity and fog through passive methods or technology requiring very little energy.
In simple terms, Pachyammos will test whether Cyprus can capture some of the moisture already hanging in the air and put it to useful work.
The project comes as Cyprus faces increasing pressure on its limited water supplies following prolonged drought, rising temperatures, and growing demand. Tillyria has been selected as the country’s first designated “green area,” with Pachyammos intended to become its testing ground for climate-friendly water management.
Plans also include tree planting, habitat restoration, a circular nature trail, a viewing point, and other low-impact visitor facilities.
A proposed “Water House” will serve as an environmental education center where residents, students and visitors can see how the water-recycling and atmospheric collection systems work.
The aim is not only to restore the lake but also to turn the surrounding area into what organizers describe as a “living laboratory” for water management, biodiversity, and sustainable tourism.
The Nicosia Region Tourism Board is participating in WATERISE alongside 10 partners from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, France and Malta. The initiative is co-funded by the EU’s Interreg Euro-MED program.
According to the board, European funding of up to €300,000 has been secured, while it plans to contribute more than €70,000 for additional infrastructure.
Board president Theodoros Krigou said the ambition was for the lake to become a model of climate resilience and green innovation for Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean.
That is the ambition, at least. Its real value will depend on whether the technology produces meaningful amounts of usable water and whether the restored site is properly maintained after the European funding and opening-day speeches are over.
For now, however, one of Cyprus’ least-known reservoirs is being handed a surprisingly important job: helping the island work out how to live with less water.
*With information from the Nicosia Region Tourism Board press release and the WATERISE project
