Water Management in Cyprus and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive

1. CYPRUS CLIMATE CONFERENCE Climate Change: A challenge for Europe and Cyprus 27 – 29 November, 2009 Goethe Centre Nicosia Water Management in Cyprus and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive Sofoclis Aletraris Director Water Development Department Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Republic of Cyprus

2. Outline of Presentation

3. Overview of climate change

4. Climate Change (CC) and Water • Significant impact on quality and availability of water due to CC • Intergovernmental Panel on CC: • Water scarcity to affect 1.1-3.2 bn people if temperatures rose by 2-3 Co • Drought affected areas to increase • At European Union level: • Areas & people affected by droughts between 1976-2006: +20% • 2003: >100 m people (20%) & >1/3rd of EU territory affected by droughts • Cost of damage: €8.7 bn (2003), €100 bn (over the past 30 years) Change in mean annual temperature by the end of this century (Co) Change in mean annual precipitation by the end of this century (%) 4

5. Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the EU

6. Policy Formulation at EU Level: EC Communication • Addresses challenge of water scarcity & droughts in EU • Provides fundamental & well developed first set of policy options for future action • States clear commitment from EU to jointly establish the adequate conditions to implement foreseen actions & develop further knowledge

7. EC Communication: Proposed Policy Options • Put the right price on water based on “user pays” principle • Introduce compulsory metering programmes • Promote water saving & water efficiency measures • Tremendous potential for water savings in EU • 20% of water estimated to be wasted (could go up to 40%) • Change how water is channelled to users & how it is used • E.g. promote installation of water saving devices • Proper allocation of water use between economic sectors • Clear water hierarchy: water saving to become priority • Application of effective water pricing & cost-effective measures before opting for additional water infrastructures • Integration of water sustainability & sustainable land use • Adaptation of activities to locally available amount of water

8. Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in cyprus

9. Water Scarcity & Droughts in Cyprus • Cyprus & Malta are the “water poor” countries of Europe with lowest water availability/capita • Semi-arid climate • Limited water resources • Depend mainly on rainfall • Scarce & expensive to explore • Unevenly distributed rainfall • Frequent occurrence of droughts • Most of the water demand management measures presented in the Communication have been applied, but water scarcity problem remains • Water scarcity is a very serious problem for Cyprus Annual Rainfall Distribution (mm)

10. Declining Rainfall in Cyprus • Climate models predict rise in temperature and increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme drought events • These conditions, coupled with increased water demands are worsening the water scarcity problem in Cyprus Stepped drop of precipitation in the early 70s

11. Use of Water in Cyprus • Figure above represents water needs, which are rarely satisfied • Since 1996, water demand for irrigated agriculture was satisfied only in 2004 when all dams over-spilled

12. Water Resources Management in Cyprus • Integrated & sustainable approach to water management • Strategic planning • Long term actions to meet future demands under scarcity conditions • Short term actions to face a particular drought event within the existing framework

13. Drought Mitigation and Response Plan • Applied to all Government Water Works (GWW) on a yearly basis, depending on climatic conditions • Includes restrictions to water use & other water demand and supply management measures • Water from GWW allocated to different uses with priority to domestic sector, including tourism • Remaining quantity allocated to agriculture using a quota system & penalty charges for over-consumption • Allocation to farms depends on crop & area irrigated • Over-consumption rate is multiple of usual tariff Allocation of water from GWW

14. Long-term actions: Water Master Plan • Implementation embarked in the late 60s • Objective: to satisfy in a sustainable way the different users of water and safeguard human & other life • Measures implemented to increase water availability and decrease water demand

15. Supply Management • Increased dams capacity • Drilled boreholes for domestic and irrigation purposes • Constructed water treatment plants & recharge works Accumulated Storage Capacity (MCM of water)

16. Demand Management • Installed improved on farm irrigation systems • Constructed modern, efficient conveyance and distribution systems • Imposed water charges for domestic and irrigation water

17. Despite the significant measures, available water was not enough • Climate change caused a drop of 20% in precipitation resulting to a 40% reduction in surface runoff • Experienced more frequent occurrence of extreme drought events • Rapid increase in population and tourist arrivals in Cyprus Inflow of water to the Dams (MCM)

18. Deterioration of groundwater quality and quantity • Groundwater resources have been the most obvious & easily accessible sources of water for many years • In the attempt to meet the increasing water demand or to mitigate drought effects, they have been heavily over-pumped • Led to seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers • Deteriorated both quality and quantity

19. Non-conventional water resources: Seawater Desalination • Forced to turn to seawater desalination in 1997 • One mobile & two permanent desalination plants currently in operation • Additional plants in construction / planning phase • Objective is to eliminate the dependency of potable water on rainfall • Despite environmental & financial costs, experience has shown that desalination remains the only means of achieving water security and independence of domestic water from climatic behaviour

20. Non-conventional water resources: Recycled water • Recycled water for irrigation and recharge purposes is a growing resource in Cyprus • Reuse schemes using treated sewage effluent are now operational • Many more are under study or construction Annual Recycled Water (MCM) – Tertiary Treatment (28,5% of agricultural water demand) Irrigation of agricultural crops, either directly or through recharge of aquifers/ irrigation of recreational areas & recharge

21. Demand Management: Integral part of water policy • Metering of water consumption • Water charges on a volumetric basis • Programs to reduce distribution losses • Installation of improved on farm irrigation systems • Measures to promote a water-saving culture & efficiency of water use • Water rationing during periods of drought • Subsidies for saving potable water

22. Cost of Water Development in Cyprus • Infrastructure and water demand management measures were mostly funded through National Budget • Water infrastructure investments (GWW) in 2007 estimated at €2,58 bn • Significant amount, considering the size, geography, economy and population of Cyprus • Considerable proportion was put in water efficiency infrastructure (advanced distribution networks & telemetry systems) • For a number of years, funds allocated for water development accounted for approx 1/5th of the Cyprus Development Budget Cyprus Total Development Budget (1) (1) Assuming a discount rate of 7,5%

23. Implementation of water framework directive in cyprus

24. The Water Framework Directive(Directive 2000/60/EC) • Establishes a legal framework to protect and restore clean water across Europe • Ensures long-term and sustainable use of water • Sets the goal of achieving “good status” for all of Europe's surface waters and groundwater by 2015 • Cyprus is progressing towards full implementation of the WFD • Committed to the efficient and effective implementation of the WFD principles and provisions

25. The Water Framework DirectiveKey Aims • Expand water protection to all waters: inland and coastal surface waters and groundwater • Achieve “good status” for all waters by 2015 • Base water management on river basins • Combine emission limit values with environmental quality standards • Ensure that water prices provide adequate incentives for efficient water use • Involve citizens • Streamline legislation

26. The Water Framework DirectiveSignificant Deadlines

27. Implementation of the WFD in Cyprus • Cyprus fulfilled all its obligations up to the end of 2007 • Currently preparing RBMP & Programme of Measures using Consultancy Services • A specific Drought Management Plan will also be developed to supplement RBMP • A six-month public consultation on draft RBMP (Art. 14) expected to begin in Feb 2010, whole work to be finalised by Mar 2011 • Work delayed due to legal problems in relation to tenders • Also in progress, implementation of Art. 9, which establishes requirement to implement cost recovery, including environmental & resource costs, “polluter pays” principle & incentive pricing by 2010 • Work carried out using Consultancy Services: Contract signed in Feb 2008 and is expected to be completed by 2010 – public consultation to follow

28. Current water situation in cyprus

29. 2008: Cyprus faced one of the most acute & prolonged droughts • The 2008 winter was extremely dry and the inflow to the reservoirs was only 18,7 MCM • Water reserves of underground aquifers were drastically reduced and water storage in the dams reached dangerously low levels Kouris Dam Apr 2004 Kouris Dam Sept 2008

30. Drastic Drought Mitigation and Response Plan • In response to the acute drought, a series of emergency measures were applied: • Transfer of potable water from Greece, using tankers • Almost 100% ban on water supply to agriculture • Strict restrictions on drinking water supply to households (only 36 hrs per week) • Extension of the existing desalination plants capacity and installation of mobile ones • Treatment of the Garillis aquifer to potable water • Use of new boreholes & purchase of water from private boreholes for domestic supply • Intensification of water saving promotion campaigns and financial incentives for saving potable water

31. Additional Measures • Domestic water supply enhancement • Construction of 3 new permanent desalination plants and Kannaviou Treatment Plant • Replacement and improvement of domestic water supply networks in rural areas • Available amount in national budget for 2009: €15 m for 150 projects • Funds allocated for 2001-2008: €60 m • Study for exploring the possibility of rainwater utilisation • Solea Valley Irrigation Project for irrigation water use improvement • Implementation of Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC and use of recycled water for irrigation • Other environmental protection & demand management measures

32. EU Solidarity Fund • Cyprus applied for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund • EU Commission agreed to grand €7,6 million in aid: • Will mainly help reimburse costs of emergency measures, such as transport of water from Greece • First time the Solidarity Fund was used to provide financial aid in response to an exceptional drought

33. 2009: Improved Conditions • Precipitation reached 105% of normal • Water inflow into reservoirs was 97,2 MCM enabling the Government to • Reduce restrictions on the supply of drinking water from 30% to 15% • Provide some quantities of water to agriculture

34. conclusions

35. Our Vision on Water

36. Taking on the challenge • Future presents many challenges for Cyprus • Rapid social changes • Further economic development • Climate change • Water scarcity & droughts • Escalating water demands in a continuously changing environment • All necessary measures are being taken to ensure water security now and in the future through an integrated multi-objective approach for water management

37. Thank you for your attention