Apostolos Tomaras
Cypriots may still be paying “satisfactory” prices for water today, but the country is increasingly feeling the consequences of years of delayed planning and underinvestment in its water system, according to the head of Nicosia’s regional administration organization.
In an interview with local media, Constantinos Yiorkadjis said not enough had been done over the years to protect Cyprus from chronic water shortages, arguing that the island remains too dependent on rainfall and expensive desalination methods.
His comments come as Cyprus continues to grapple with recurring drought conditions and growing public concern over water security, especially during the summer months when reservoirs drop and demand surges.
“The central government should have ensured over time that there was enough water production to cover the needs of both residents and visitors,” Yiorkadjis said, adding that Cyprus should not be relying every year on winter rains to secure its supply.
He strongly advocated for desalination plants powered by renewable energy sources, saying the use of solar energy could dramatically reduce the cost of producing water in the long run.
At present, much of the desalinated water produced in Cyprus depends on electricity generated from expensive fuel oil, something Yiorkadjis said continues to drive up costs.
Still, he cautioned that lowering water prices too much could send the wrong message in a country that faces a long-term water scarcity problem.
“I believe the average price of water for household use is satisfactory,” he said, while supporting lower rates for vulnerable groups and higher charges for excessive consumption as a deterrent.
The comments are likely to resonate with many households already dealing with rising living costs while also being urged to conserve water.
Yiorkadjis said Nicosia remains in a stronger position than other districts thanks to years of infrastructure planning by the former Nicosia Water Board. He noted that “unbilled” or “untaxed” water, which includes losses from leaks and other inefficiencies, stands at around 20% in the capital’s network, one of the lowest rates in Cyprus and below the EU average.
But he warned that rapidly growing areas in western Nicosia and Lakatamia are facing mounting pressure due to insufficient investment in water infrastructure.
“This creates medium- and long-term risks for water security and adequacy,” he said.
Among the measures being introduced are 72,000 smart water meters, designed to detect leaks in real time and alert both authorities and residents before large amounts of water are wasted.
A pilot program involving 3,000 smart meters in old Nicosia already reduced water losses by 1.5% annually, according to Yiorkadjis, who said full implementation could cut unnecessary water consumption by up to 5%.
He also called on the government to secure European funding or state resources to replace aging water networks, saying local organizations were inheriting outdated infrastructure without the financial support needed to maintain it.
“It is the state’s responsibility to hand over infrastructure in a functional condition,” he said.
Yiorkadjis further pointed to another largely untapped resource: recycled water from wastewater treatment plants. Much of it, he said, still cannot be fully used for irrigation because the necessary distribution networks have not been built.
Beyond water policy, the longtime local government figure also touched on politics, dismissing suggestions that his current role as head of the Nicosia EOA could serve as a stepping stone to higher office.
“Anyone can claim the presidency of the republic,” he said, but added that his focus remains entirely on improving daily life for residents through the newly established regional organization.
