Water crisis in Cyprus: Paphos golf courses ordered to stop using state water

The authorities of Cyprus have required owners of golf courses in Paphos to cease using water from the state irrigation system until the beginning of summer. This was stated by Minister of Agriculture Maria Panagiotou on RIK television.

According to the minister, following negotiations with golf club owners, they were given a clear timetable to create the necessary infrastructure and switch to alternative water sources. Currently, two of the five golf courses continue to use water from the Paphos irrigation system.

She described the situation with reservoirs as critical, emphasizing that even recent rainfall has not improved conditions. If irrational water consumption continues, supply cuts are not ruled out.

The government insists on reducing water consumption by at least 10%. As the minister noted, in practice this means just two minutes less of an open tap per day for each resident.

At the same time, cases are recorded where consumption exceeds 500 liters per person, while the average figure is 120–140 liters.

The ministry is implementing a program to install water-saving fittings for household use.

A subsidy program of €3 million is also in place for hotels wishing to install small desalination units. However, since March only 13 applications have been submitted, without tangible results. A separate meeting with representatives of the tourism sector is planned for February.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a large-scale plan to combat the water crisis:

• in February, new mobile desalination units will be introduced in Limassol;
• the total capacity of all operating and mobile units will reach 282 thousand cubic meters of water per day;
• the production of desalinated water will increase by approximately 20%;
• by 2029, the launch of two new permanent desalination plants operating on renewable energy sources is planned.

The installation of a floating desalination station is also being considered, and negotiations are underway with the UAE on equipment supplies.