Cyprus, as Member State of the EU, has the responsibility to review the status and particularities of its water resources and develop its own national implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). In Cyprus the provisions of the Water Framework Directive have been transposed into national legislation through the Water Protection and Management Law 13(I)/2004, which was adopted by the House of Representatives on February 5, 2004.

The Water Development Department (WDD) is responsible for implementing the legislative requirements relating to water resources. The main objective of the policy is the rational development and management of the water resources of Cyprus. In this context, the responsibilities of the WDD are wide and diverse as follows:

• The collection, processing and classification of hydrological, hydrogeological, geotechnical and other data necessary for the study, maintenance and safety of the water development works;
• The study, design, construction, operation and maintenance of works, such as dams, ponds, irrigation, domestic water supply and sewerage schemes, water treatment works, sewage treatment and desalination plants; and
• The protection of water resources from pollution.

The “Water Protection and Management Law[13(I)/2004]” provides for the elimination or reduction and control of water pollution in Cyprus, for the best possible protection of natural water resources and the health and well-being of the population. It also provides for the protection and improvement of the environment and the animal and plant life in water. The Law defines "what is waste" and vests power in the MANRE and the Environmental Service to control the disposal of wastewater into the surface or underground water environment. Additionally, the law contains provisions for the protection of the natural water sources from the disposal of wastes and the pollution of water from industrial and domestic sources of pollution and wastewater treatment plants. The MANRE and the Minister of Social Insurance and Labour (MSIL) can issue permits for the disposal of wastes or treated wastes defining the method, quantities, frequency of disposal, location and the concentration of pollutants. The Ministers can also appoint "Inspectors" for the examination of applications and the enforcement of conditions and control of the permits.

The “Water Protection and Management Law” provides also for the creation of the “Directorate for Integrated Water Management” within the Government, to undertake the management of the water resources of Cyprus. The major issues addressed are:

• The definition of one responsible authority for the development and management of water resources, i.e. the Minister at the political level and the Directorate Director at the technical and legislative  level;
• The compliance with European standards and the consideration of both qualitative and quantitative parameters for water quality;
• The formulation of an Advisory Committee and the “Directorate for Integrated Water Management” which will advise the MANRE on water resources management issues; and
  • The consideration of the European Union Framework Directive and other European directives related to water resources.

This creation of the “Directorate for Integrated Water Management” is promoted by the “Responsibilities of the Directorate for Integrated Water Management Law”, which is expected to be adopted by the House of Representatives in the near future.

Additionally, there are six other important water laws in force, and 15 other laws that include provisions related to water. They form the basis of resource development, interaction between the government and users, and the establishment of local water bodies. The legislation addressing groundwater abstraction can be considered as particularly deficient, when taking into account the significant degradation of several aquifers. Illegal drilling of wells has been a quite common phenomenon, with one case where almost 47% of wells were drilled without a permit. The responsibility for monitoring compliance and illegal well drilling and control lies within the District Officer of the Ministry of Interior. Table 7 presents the most important legislation for water resources management and protection.