Most of the aquifers are phreatic, developed in river or coastal alluvial deposits. These are the biggest and the most dynamic aquifers, replenished mainly by river flows and rainfall. During the last decade almost all aquifers exhibit trends of depletion. Frequent droughts have reduced the direct and indirect groundwater recharge, while the construction of dams has resulted in reduced recharge of the downstream aquifers. At the same time, farmers, in their effort to maintain the agricultural production levels, have continued extracting the same quantities of groundwater, and in most cases have even increased these quantities. All these adverse conditions have resulted in saline water intrusion and hence quality deterioration of coastal aquifers and the depletion of inland aquifers.

Direct recharge (from rainfall) of the island’s aquifers is of the order of 270 hm³ . An additional recharge of 140 hm³ corresponds to surface runoff, which infiltrates into riverbed aquifers and coastal alluvial fans. Part of this replenishment is extracted through wells and boreholes, and the remainder goes to the sea. 8 % or 40 hm³ of surface runoff is diverted for irrigation in late winter or early spring, and especially during the wet season. Where pumping exceeds recharge, a deficit of 10% or 40 hm³, is created in certain aquifers. The result of the long-term over-pumping has been the sea intrusion in certain major coastal aquifers.

Groundwater replenishment (surface runoff and directly from rainfall) and use

The present level of abstractions from all aquifers is estimated at 130 hm³/yr, of which 10 hm³/yr are available through artificial recharge. The average yield of abstractions for domestic water supply during the period of 1991 – 2000 was approximately 25 hm³/year, for irrigation about 102 hm3/yr and for industrial use around 2.5-3.0 hm³/yr. During the last years, annual abstraction for domestic water supply decreased to a level of 18-20 hm³.

Groundwater abstractions per use (1991 – 2000)

The total recommended abstraction from all groundwater bodies is estimated to 80 hm³/yr, This estimate is based on the water balance of each aquifer and the annual replenishment rate. During the last decade, almost all groundwater bodies with the exception of the riverbed coastal ones are being overexploited. Of the 19 groundwater bodies in Cyprus, 17 have significant abstractions, which can be considered as “over-pumping”. The total “over-pumping” is approximately 33 hm³/yr, and is encountered in all major aquifers of the country. In general, the groundwater resources in Cyprus are overexploited by 40% of their sustainable extraction.

Groundwater bodies of Cyprus based on the geology and the type of each aquifer