Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus is expecting significant inflows into its reservoirs following heavy rainfall in recent days, the director of the Water Development Department said on Saturday, while urging continued caution over water use. Eliana Tofa-Christidou said final figures will become clear at the end of April.
Reservoir levels and expected inflows
Tofa-Christidou commented after Cyprus’ largest reservoir, Kouris dam, recorded a storage level of 21.2 per cent on Friday, compared with 20.3 per cent at the same time last year. She said the rainfall and inflows were beneficial and that, based on the department’s indications, additional inflows are expected until March 25.
Warning against complacency
She said there was no room for complacency and that the Water Development Department remained cautious to safeguard reserves for 2027 and 2028. Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, she said the inflows are needed and that final reserves must be managed very wisely.
Transfers and system management
She said 8 million cubic metres of water were transferred from the Arminou reservoir via the Southern Conveyor Project, meaning not all inflows originated from the Kouris catchment. She said careful daily management is in place to secure every usable flow and described the Southern Conveyor Project as the backbone of the system.
Outlook for summer water cuts and calls to conserve
Asked about the possibility of water cuts during summer, Tofa-Christidou said this would become clearer once final flows are recorded at the end of the hydrological year, at the end of April. She urged consumers to conserve water and said local water authorities must repair their networks and take action to reduce water losses.
How will you reduce your water use as Cyprus awaits final reservoir flow figures at the end of April?