Cyprus may face water‑supply cuts this summer due to low reserves and rising demand, the Agriculture Ministry’s director general said Wednesday.
Andreas Grigoriou told CyBC that the amount of water allocated for household use in 2026 will match 2024 levels, though that remains about 10% below actual needs.
A working group with the Water Development Department and district authorities has been set up to manage supplies and avoid widespread outages, he said.
Grigoriou defended the environmental levy on water, saying it has been phased in since 2020, starting with large consumers.
He said billing can be reviewed and outstanding charges can be settled in installments.
He acknowledged possible mistakes in enforcing rules on boreholes and said the matter will be examined with the relevant department.
But he stressed that licensed water‑extraction holders were aware of their obligations.
He also rejected comparisons with other water uses, noting that golf courses using recycled water pay significantly higher fees.