1. Quantitative aspects in Cyprus (groundwater)
CIS 33 meeting f
Quantitative aspects in Cyprus (groundwater)
Dr CHARLES DEMETRIOU
Senior Hydrologist
Water Development Department
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
Republic of Cyprus

2. Outline of Presentation
Water Sources
Water Budget
Groundwater Status
Measures
Conclusions

3. Water Sources Surface Water Groundwater (boreholes, wells)
(Dams, rivers – diversions )
Groundwater (boreholes, wells)
Re-cycled water (tertiary treated wastewater)
Water from desalination plants

4. Water Budget 4

5. WATER BUDGET Mean values (MCM) 2000 - 2015
Rainfall
480 mm
INFLOW (Surface storage) 87
INFLOW (Groundwater)
198
OUTFLOW (to the sea) 62
Available (Groundwater)
136
TOTAL Available (SW+ GW)
223
DEMAND
253
SW Releases 69
GW extraction (Pumping)
146
TOTAL Releases/ Extractions
215
RELEASES - DEMAND
-38 (+31*+7**)
*Desalinated
**Recycled (produced 14)

9. Use of water in Cyprus 9

10. Groundwater Status 10

13. Groundwater monitoring network (1100 boreholes) for monitoring water level and conductivity

20. Groundwater status.
Most coastal aquifers – seawater intrusion

21. MEASURES 21

22. Pumping cost is very high
DEMAND MANAGEMENT
Pumping cost is very high
Water pricing NOT that effective tool
90% of irrigated land is utilizing advanced irrigation systems
Integrated water management law
All waterworks (dams,water diversions works, boreholes etc) need to obtain a permit issued by WDD
All water diversions, abstractions need to obtain a permit from WDD 22

23. Groundwater abstractions
Records of licences (last 50 years)
Active and inactive (abandoned)
Unlicenced boreholes ??
In our Database we have records for boreholes
On all licenses issued since 1995 there is
a maximum allowable amount of water* to be extracted/year and
also a term that a water meter has to be installed on every borehole for monitoring
* based on crop(s) water needs 23

24. Conclusions 24

25. Next Steps Many challenges
Climate changes, water scarcity and droughts
Increasing demand for good quality water
Integrated water management plans for each water body – stainable yield for each gw body
Public consultation
(discussed and agreed with interested groups)
Long term program
Utilization of tertiary treated wastewater for:
Irrigation (for the crop types permitted)
Aquifer recharge 25 25

26. Thank you for your attention26

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