EDITORIAL: Cyprus water cuts unavoidable, despite promises

People in Cyprus should brace for extreme water rationing this summer and beyond, maybe even up to October when the already-strained Dhekelia desalination plant will have increased its capacity.

Two more mobile plants are expected to come on stream by summer, but these will do nothing to quench the thirst of the people, the farmers and hotels, unless rationing starts immediately.

The mild showers of the past few days and the few drops expected this week will do little to raise the water level at dams to 10% of their capacity, which is why the inability of those responsible in the present administration to deal with the issue for fear of losing potential votes will haunt them later on.

Tourism arrivals are already expected to see a continued fall as other dollar-destinations such as the U.S., the Middle East and the Far East will attract a record number of European visitors this summer.

Adding water rationing to the woes of tourists who will be facing the usual dose of expensive and low value-for-money restaurants will make things worse in trying to retain the few tourists we manage attract every year.

Rationing from the day after the elections may help ease the problem for later, but then again, with added capacity coming on stream, the next administration should keep a cool head and seriously consider stockpiling this natural resource that is getting as expensive as crude oil.

Blaming the golf courses for the water shortage is the weakest argument any opponent could think of, as by law, all new golf courses and resorts must secure water supplies independent of the national grid. Whether they set up their own desalination plants (preferable) or dig deeper bore holes (unlikely), they are already not a strain on the public water supply.

If, on the other hand, they are buying water from neighbouring farmers or the local water utilities, then it is only logical that this should stop and be replaced with water treatment and desalination plants. This is a problem the authorities had seen coming but did little about, while golf operators have little excuse for not being given ample warning.

Golf and the potential development of new marinas are the few good things Cyprus will boast about over the next few years if we intend to attract ‘quality tourism’, so, they should be protected and even encouraged.

A reasonable water policy is what is needed. If those in government cannot think of one, they should ask their grandchildren – the youngsters have a better understanding of the issue at hand and can probably think of a hundred ways to save water. You don’t have to be a nuclear scientist to work it out.