Mavrokolympos back in service: ''What we’re waiting for now is rain.''

The Mavrokolympos dam in Paphos, whose sudden damage earlier this year triggered water shortages and forced Cyprus to import mobile desalination units, has finally been repaired, authorities announced.

Charalambos Pittokopitis, president of the Paphos Water Development Authority, confirmed that the dam is back in operation following extensive repair work carried out in September. He said the system has now been fitted with more flexible operating procedures designed to prevent the kind of breakdown that led to last January’s crisis.

“The dam is ready to take in the first quantities of water from the coming winter rains,” Pittokopitis told reporters, adding that its 1.4 million cubic meter capacity is crucial for irrigating farming communities in Chloraka, Kissonerga and Pegeia. The reservoir also stores treated wastewater from the Paphos sewage plant, which is reused for irrigation.

District Engineer Haris Kasioulis explained that the problem, which struck on January 19, was caused by a failure in the dam’s discharge ventilation pipe. “Our priority was to have the dam operational again before the start of the winter season,” he said. Repairs were completed by mid-September, and the dam is once again linked to the government’s irrigation network.

Mavrokolympos plays a unique role in the system, Kasioulis noted, because it can take in water not only from its own catchment but also from the larger Asprokremmos dam and recycled water supplies.

The January failure had wide repercussions, leaving farms and households in western Paphos scrambling for water and forcing the state to lease costly desalination units as a stopgap measure.

The crisis also reignited debate over long-term water security in the district of Polis Chrysochous, which still relies entirely on boreholes for its supply. Pittokopitis stressed that permanent solutions are needed, either through building a new desalination plant in Polis or by upgrading infrastructure at the Evretos dam.

For now, officials say, the hope is simple: that the skies will deliver. “The dam is ready,” Kasioulis said. “What we’re waiting for now is rain.”

What Went Wrong at Mavrokolympos?

When did the damage occur?

• January 19, 2025

What caused it?

• A failure in the ventilation pipe of the dam’s discharge system

Why was it such a big deal?

• The breakdown caused leaks that took Mavrokolympos offline.
• Farmers and households in western Paphos were left scrambling for water.
• The state had to import costly mobile desalination units to cover the shortage.

How much water can the dam hold?

• About 1.4 million cubic meters

Who relies on it?

• Farming communities in Chloraka, Kissonerga, and Pegeia
• It also stores treated wastewater from the Paphos sewage plant for reuse

Is it fixed now?

• Yes. Repairs were completed in mid-September.
• The dam is back online and ready for winter rains.