The enhancement of public involvement on water management issues has been the focus of several EC-funded research developed in Cyprus, also supported by the Cyprus Government in view of the WFD implementation process.

In Cyprus, INECO fostered a similar process at local level. The participatory approach for the management of the Pegeia Aquifer managed to bring together stakeholders and citizens of the area, to discuss the state of the aquifer, current policies and potential mitigation options.

This process resulted in the identification of options related to: (a) the development of additional water supply sources, such as closed-loop urban water systems, (b) the enhancement of efficiency in water use in the domestic sector and in irrigated agriculture, (c) the regulation of individual groundwater abstractions, and (d) the sensitization and stronger involvement of stakeholders and the public in decision-making processes.

A main policy requirement that emerged from INECO was the need for improving information sharing patterns; it became apparent that despite the significant efforts and resources invested, information regarding water management does not reach the general public, especially at local level.

Along this line, and as discussed below, local stakeholders recommended the enhancement of public involvement at local level through open and inclusive public hearings, awareness campaigns, participation in round table discussions and other means to support exchange of views and ideas.

Recommendations regarding the potential for the adoption of technical options could also be drawn based on the INECO experience. These include the maximisation of water recycling and reuse in agriculture and in the domestic sector.

Such efforts have been supported by the WDD through a series of incentives, which, however should be further enhanced. In addition, the construction of small-scale desalination units for hotels and the engagement into stricter standards for water saving could enhance water conservation and alleviate pressures exerted in the public water supply system by large-scale consumers and rapidly developing sectors.

More information on the outcomes of the INECO Cyprus Case Study - The Cyprus Regional Publishable Report (7.60 MB)

Stakeholder perceptions on ways of fostering public participation and civic engagement in Cyprus

The enhanced involvement of stakeholders and citizens in decision-making is a policy objective that is being strongly pursued by all State and local authorities involved in water management in Cyprus. Public participation and civic engagement are not only considered a regulatory requirement imposed by the Water Framework Directive, but also constitute a required response for raising awareness on the current water management crisis.

Strategies towards public participation are currently under development; however, users’ perceptions on the deficiencies of the currently followed approaches provided recommendations on these could be further strengthened. Issues that were further analysed included:

• Perceptions on how participatory processes could be further enhanced;
• Ways through which water users could become more involved in decision-making;
• Actual accessibility to information on water management issues of common interest;
• Impartiality and objectivity of decisions taken, as it is often commented that decision-making processes are influenced by specific user groups.

The stakeholders that were asked to comment on the above pointed out the need for more deliberative processes that would give citizens a true opportunity to express their views on water management decisions and policies.

Such efforts should built on enhanced awareness and improved accessibility to background information regarding available resources, limitations, real costs of water provision, impact of current practices, as well as proposed mitigation strategies and their implications, costs and effects.

Despite the fact that information on water-related issues is readily available for public consultation and comment, most citizens comment that only a small amount of this information is in fact understandable. This is considered a major impediment to enhanced involvement and awareness on local environmental issues, as well as to broader behavioural changes regarding water usage. It is therefore suggested that efforts should be made to share information in a non-technical way that would allow individuals to form their own views and become more involved and aware of how water management problems affect people, the economy and the environment.

Carefully scheduled, open and inclusive public hearings are proposed as means to share information and offer opportunities for discussion and exchange of views.

Other suggestions included awareness campaigning, wider use of the mass media and the internet, dedicated local information desks etc. Several stakeholders stated that decisions taken are not always impartial, and tend to benefit specific user groups, at least on what concerns the management of the Pegeia aquifer. Therefore, it can also be supported that concerted efforts towards enhanced access to information could ameliorate current water management processes: the articulation and consideration of informed views, diverse interests and public scrutiny over decisions taken would improve the effectiveness of adopted responses and improve their acceptability among social groups.