Nicosia, Cyprus. The water development department said on Wednesday that water resources will remain under full state control and will not be transferred to private entities. It said existing law defines water as a public good.
State control and private sector role
The department said there is no political or administrative intention to transfer control of water resources or water pricing to private entities. It said any private sector involvement is limited to construction or operation of specific technical projects through public procurement contracts under full state supervision.
Desalination oversight and pricing
Responding to public debate over desalination and water costs, the department said no existing or planned desalination unit is permitted to set prices or independently dispose of water. It said all facilities operate within the national water security plan, and described the desalination unit at Mazotos as a temporary measure to boost supply rather than a form of privatisation.
Rainfall levels and 2026 risk outlook
The department said the 2024–2025 hydrological year recorded rainfall at around 65 per cent of the broader average, placing it among the eight driest years since 1901. It said that with low reservoir inflows and sustained pressure on groundwater, 2026 is forecast to be a year of elevated water risk unless substantial rainfall occurs.
Agriculture, allocations and planned investments
The department said agriculture and food security remain central to national water policy, with desalination and storage projects designed to support worsening climate conditions. It said allocations to golf courses from government irrigation systems accounted for 0.7 per cent of total irrigation water in 2025 and did not reduce supplies to farmers.
The department said planned investments under the national water works programme total more than €1 billion through to 2035, alongside demand management measures aimed at cutting consumption by at least 10 per cent in 2026.
How do you think the national water security plan should balance desalination, storage projects and demand management?
