Major boost for water recycling projects in Cyprus

Cyprus is making major progress in water resource management by expanding infrastructure to reuse and store recycled water. New dams, tanks, and irrigation systems are being built in areas like Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol, and Famagusta to make better use of treated sewage water, especially for farming during the dry summer months. This shift helps preserve fresh water for drinking and daily use, as recycled water that was once discharged into the sea is now being redirected to farmers.

In 2023, Cyprus used 90% of its recovered water for agriculture — the highest rate in the EU. Projects like the dam in Tersefanou (Larnaca) and new tanks in Western Nicosia are already in place, while other developments, such as transfer networks and treatment upgrades in Famagusta and Eastern Nicosia, are still in planning stages due to land allocation delays. Despite challenges like droughts and bureaucratic slowdowns, the government is committed to ensuring that “every last drop” of water is reused effectively, supporting both agriculture and long-term sustainability.