Newsroom
Cyprus is pushing for lower household water use as part of a long-term effort to strengthen the island’s water security, with authorities encouraging residents to cut daily consumption and adopt more efficient habits ahead of the peak summer season.
The goal is at the center of the “Larnaca -26” initiative, which was presented at a press conference on Friday and calls on residents to reduce their daily water use by 26 liters by September. According to Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, the average person in Cyprus consumes about 140 liters of water each day, compared with roughly 124 to 125 liters across the European Union.
Officials estimate that saving 26 liters per day would amount to around 9.5 cubic meters of water per person annually. For a family of four, that would translate into nearly 38 cubic meters of water saved each year.
The campaign forms part of a nationwide effort to curb demand as Cyprus continues to face pressure from recurring droughts and the growing effects of climate change. Although rainfall improved this year, authorities say consumption must still be reduced, particularly during the summer months when demand rises sharply.
Government figures suggest that even a 10 percent reduction in water use could play an important role in preserving reservoir levels until the next hydrological year.
Alongside conservation efforts, the government is investing heavily in infrastructure designed to secure future supplies. New desalination projects are being planned or developed in several parts of the island, including Larnaca and Limassol, while additional facilities are planned for East Limassol, Ayia Napa-Ayia Thekla, Polis Chrysochous and Dekelia. A mobile desalination unit at Garrilli is also expected to enter service soon.
Authorities want desalination to cover all domestic water supply needs by 2027, with a longer-term objective of achieving national water self-sufficiency by 2050.
Another major measure already underway involves the free distribution of water-saving devices to households across Cyprus. Around three million showerheads and flow restrictors are expected to reach approximately 500,000 homes. According to the Water Development Department, the devices can reduce consumption by up to 30 percent without significantly affecting everyday use. The rollout began in Paphos and is gradually expanding to the rest of the island.
At the local level, Larnaca officials are also targeting water losses within supply networks. Planned measures include more intensive leak detection and repairs, replacement of aging pipes, pressure management in distribution systems, limiting the use of drinking water for irrigating certain green spaces and making greater use of alternative water sources such as boreholes.
The district is also modernizing its infrastructure through the installation of smart meters, sensors, telemetry systems and digital monitoring tools designed to improve network management and reduce waste.
As part of the campaign, residents can access a new online platform offering practical advice and information on reducing water consumption in their daily lives. Officials hope the combination of public participation, technology upgrades and new supply projects will help Cyprus manage its water resources more effectively in the years ahead.
