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Management of Groundwater Resources in Cyprus: Harmonisation with the EU Water Framework Directive

This article discusses the current state of groundwater resources in Cyprus, the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, and the challenges faced in managing and protecting these resources. Examples of overpumping and seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers are highlighted, emphasizing the need for careful management and rehabilitation. The article concludes by addressing the importance of the Water Framework Directive in creating the necessary conditions for effective water resource management in Cyprus.

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Management of Groundwater Resources in Cyprus: Harmonisation with the EU Water Framework Directive

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  1. Management of groundwater resources in Cyprus - harmonisation with the EU Water Framework Directive. • CHARLES DEMETRIOU • Water Development Department, CYPRUS

  2. OUTLINE • Present status of water resources in Cyprus • State of the major aquifers • Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC • Implementation in Cyprus • CONCLUSIONS

  3. Groundwater resources in Cyprus are overexploited by about forty percent of sustainable extraction. • Some of the coastal aquifers show water levels below sea level. This is the result from frequent and long lasting droughts over the last decades.

  4. The overpumping, lead to seawater intrusion. • To rehabilitate these aquifers, a lot of years of very careful management are required. • Examples of overpumping and seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. • Typical ones are; the aquifers of Morfou, Kokkinochoria, Kiti-Pervolia, and Akrotiri.

  5. The rainfall for the period 1970 – 2000, shows a serious drop in the order of 20%. shows a step change around 1970. • The decreased rainfall caused reduction in the flow of rivers, and naturally in the surge of water in our dams, to the order 40%. →More Stress in the aquifers • Last two years the hydro-meteorological conditions were good

  6. THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE 2000/60/EC AND CYPRUS • What is about ?? • An action plan has been prepared. • More importance was given at the initial stages of the implementation plans of the Directive, which are considered critical and decisive. • The Cyprus legislation was harmonised with the requirements of the Directive by enacting a new bill. The bill was passed by the parliament on February 2004.

  7. Problems on Implementing the Water Framework Directive • ·The lack of an integrated rationally organised national network for data collection. • · The database for storing and analysing information is at its initial stages with many teething problems. Much of the information collected over the years is still in paper form. • · The lack of water quality data, especially chemical analysis information other than ionic.

  8. The difficulty on co-ordination between the responsible authorities and all the involved institutions. • ·        The points of pressure were not monitored in a systematic way and also are not geo-referenced. • ·        The lack on specialised expertise and suitable human potential. The mentality of users of water. • ·        The high cost of implementation.

  9. ·The division of responsibility on water management and the lack of a single authority responsible for it. • ·        Difficulties associated with the extended periods of low rainfalls observed in Cyprus in the last decades. • ·        Difficulties arising from the fact that the Directive is more focused on the big river basins of Europe.

  10. CONCLUSIONS • Almost all the aquifers are over-pumped • Within WFD, River basin management plans will be developed • best economic way for supplying water is to save water though better water management. • WFD for Cyprus will create the essential conditions for the support of policy that will lead in the satisfactory and effective protection of all waters and develop a rational management and exploitation of our precious water resources.

  11. THANK YOU

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