In the same period last year, occupancy reached 55.5%
The drought of the summer, combined with the also dry winter that preceded it, raises questions about the state of the island's dams and whether there will be increases in water prices. The deputy director of the Water Development Department George Kazantzis confirmed the “fears” of low water levels in the dams.
Based on the latest measurable data available to the Water Development Department, the fullness of the dams on 26/08 as a whole was at 35%, a percentage which, he explains, is very low compared to the percentage of water that existed in same time last year, when dams were 55.5% full. “This year we are almost at half the level compared to last year.” In fact, he said that the largest dam, Kouris, has 30% water capacity, while last year it had twice as much. Mr. Kazantzis appeared reassuring in relation to the possibility of an increase in the price of water, stating that there does not seem to be a problem with the water supply, however he noted that with irrigation there are already cuts, since as he said, “from January 2024, water cuts reach the 33%”. He added that within the framework of the green tax reform, there will be an increase in tax fees for specific uses of water, such as watering football fields, golf courses and green spaces. However, he did not rule out the possibility of seeing increases in the price of water, however, as he said, it is still under discussion. What is troubling, he clarified, is that in order to meet the needs, it will be necessary to further activate the desalination units, which will bring costs to the state and “we are thinking of passing this cost on to the citizens”, he explained.
Hope for rains
However, the forecasts of the Department of Meteorology for the levels of rain for the next three months create hope that the situation at the dams will change. Despite the fact that in September the amount of rain will vary below 50% of normal, in the north and west it is expected to vary between 50% and 75%, while the same levels of rain amount are calculated for October. In the Water Department, plans are already being made on paper, so that in terms of water supply, a part of the water quantities that may be in the dams should be covered if there is a prolonged dry spell, as the deputy director of the Water Development Department explained, the installation process has already begun mobile desalination units, while asking the contractors of the existing units to increase water production. At the same time, a joint effort is being made with the Provincial Self-Government Organizations to reduce the losses from the networks that present the greatest water shortages. “It is a long-term goal but consumption needs to be reduced,” he said, while explaining that there will also be enlightenment campaigns so that “citizens use water wisely, without waste.”
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Wastes are punished
It is recalled that in an effort to reduce the uncontrolled use and waste of water due to lack of rain, the Ministry of Agriculture recently recalled the imposition of a fine on case of using rubber for washing sidewalks, roads, verandas, railings and cars. In fact, the tightening of penalties was launched to reduce the uncontrolled use and waste of water, as part of a series of measures to save water and deal with drought. Mr. Kazantzis assured that there is surveillance and where a violation of the legislation is observed, then a relevant complaint is made, while at the same time he noted that efforts are currently being made to make the legislation even stricter.
