It is widely accepted that in the last 46 years there has been a revolution in the water supply industry of the island. Since 1960, the year of Independence, the number of dams has risen from 21 to 106. Additionally, from 1962 to 2006 the number of large dams increased from 10 to 36. The total area corresponding to irrigated agriculture has increased from 1,600 ha to almost 21,000 ha. In 1960, most villages relied on communal springs. Now, approximately 60 villages are serviced by central domestic water supply systems, either by exploiting the local water resources or connected to the Cyprus Major Water Works. Water development schemes became numerous and larger as time passed by.

A large part of the island water demand is now met through inter-basin water transfer schemes, which also involve the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater. Water development schemes are in their majority multipurpose, addressing demands for irrigation, domestic and industrial purposes.

Very recently, the water economy started to shift towards the development of non-conventional water resources. Desalination plants were installed, with the aim to eliminate the dependency of large urban and tourist centres on rainfall for drinking water supply. The Government’s water policy is not restricted to the issue of desalination plants alone but also focuses on the exploitation of other non-conventional water sources, such as recycled water for irrigation.

The major water works of Cyprus