Twelve of the thirteen mobile desalination units donated to Cyprus by the United Arab Emirates were operational as of 6 August, with the final unit set to come online shortly, according to the Water Development Department (WDD).
In a statement issued on Sunday, the WDD confirmed that efforts to combat water scarcity are moving ahead rapidly. The department noted that mobile desalination units are already in use, with additional installations planned by 2026 to strengthen water reserves and address the effects of prolonged drought.
“The mobile units are now operational and actions are under way to increase available water quantities, reduce losses in the distribution network, and limit waste — all without affecting citizens’ quality of life,” the department stated.
In Kissonerga, the first unit with a capacity of 1,000 cubic metres per day has been operating since early August. A second unit of equal capacity is expected to begin operations within days. Further units producing 5,000 cubic metres per day will be added by the end of September and again by the end of October.
At the Moni area near the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) power station, desalination units with a combined capacity of 15,000 cubic metres per day — all provided by the UAE — have been installed. These were completed in just two months, with gradual activation beginning on 22 July.
The department reiterated that 12 of the 13 UAE-supplied units are now running, with the last to follow soon.
Beyond desalination, the WDD said it is implementing additional measures to boost water supply. These include drilling new boreholes and launching water-saving infrastructure projects worth €10.5 million in District Administration networks and €3 million in rural communities outside those networks.
A €3 million grant scheme is also under way for small private desalination systems. So far, six of the twelve submitted applications have been approved, with further documentation pending for the rest.
To help reduce water waste, the WDD highlighted the launch of a new mobile app called “Stagono-metro”. Developed by the KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence at the University of Cyprus, the app helps households track and lower water usage. Legal updates have also introduced stricter rules on excessive consumption, alongside a new public awareness campaign in collaboration with the Press and Information Office.
Looking ahead, the department announced that a mobile desalination unit will be installed at the Garyllis River in Limassol within four months, aiming to become operational by December 2025. Another installation at Limassol Port is expected to be completed by January 2026.
Plans are also being examined for new units with a combined daily capacity of 10,000 cubic metres in Limassol, Larnaca, and Famagusta, with a target launch before summer 2026.
“The water issue remains a constant challenge requiring continuous effort and responsible management,” the department said, stressing that even with the full implementation of these long-term measures, conservation and responsible use by the public will remain vital for ensuring sufficiency and protecting water sustainability for current and future generations.
Source: CNA
Featured photo source: LinkedIn
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