Recycled water is a rapidly emerging alternative water source for Cyprus. Its use was initiated in 1998, when approximately 1.3 hm3 were used in the area of Limassol. Since then, its production and use has increased, and at the end of 2004 almost 5 hm3 were used, replacing equal quantities of fresh water.
Irrigation supply sources used in the Government Irrigation Schemes
for the period 1991 – 2004 (WDD, 2004)
However, the acceptance of treated effluent in irrigated agriculture is far from certain, especially when alternative sources are available. The early positive response of farmers, due to the drought of the recent years, subsided after 2001, because of the high availability of fresh water from the storage reservoirs.
The most serious problems are experienced during the winter months, when irrigation demand is minimum or zero. The intention of the Water Development Department is to store the quantities of recycled water produced during the winter either in storage reservoirs (Polemidhia and Ypsonas reservoir in Limassol) or in aquifers (artificial recharge of the Akrotiri aquifer in Limassol and the Ezousas riverbed aquifer in Pafos), so that it can be used during the peak summer period.
The recharge of the Ezousas aquifer is being implemented since 2003. However, this was not the case for Akrotiri aquifer, due to the objections of the Episkopi Local Authority. As a result, large quantities of recycled water were rejected in the sea of Limassol, depriving the water system of a precious resource.
Therefore, at this point there is wide recognition of the need for alternative policies which could strengthen the role of the recycled water in enhancing the urban and rural environment (green areas, parks, forestation), supporting agricultural water needs, and in recharging groundwater reserves