Larnaca, Cyprus. The Larnaca district government launched its Larnaca-26 water consumption reduction campaign on Friday, aiming for residents to cut their daily water use by 26 litres by September. The initiative comes as Cyprus continues efforts to reduce demand after a severe water shortage last year.
Campaign target
Cypriots currently use an average of 140 litres of water per day, compared with a European Union average of about 125 litres. The campaign seeks to lower daily consumption among Larnaca residents through individual reductions.
Minister’s remarks
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said individual action is essential to reducing water consumption.
“Water security does not depend only on the major projects implemented by the state, but also on a matter of personal responsibility and daily choices,” Panayiotou said at the press conference launching the campaign.
She called for a “new culture of responsible and efficient use of water” and said the campaign is aligned with national government efforts to reduce water demand.
Water supply pressures
Last year, Cyprus experienced a critical water shortage described as the worst in a decade. Although rainfall has increased this year, Panayiotou said “there is no room for complacency.”
She also said Cyprus is particularly vulnerable among European regions to the impacts of climate change.
National measures
Alongside efforts to reduce consumption, the government is working to install desalination plants across the country. These will include both permanent and mobile units, and Panayiotou said Cyprus aims to “achieve full coverage of its water supply needs through desalination” by next year.
The government is also distributing three million shower nozzles and flow reducers nationwide to help reduce water consumption.