Cyprus prepares for restrictions
The inhabitants of the island will have to get used to the water supply “every other day” — as in 2008-2009. Phileleftheros writes about this, referring to the Department of Water Resources. Municipal services warn that disruptions will become more frequent, accidents will increase, and bills will rise by millions of euros.
Why do I have to turn off the water at all
The reduction of supplies is introduced by the Department of Water Resources (Water Development Department, WDD).
In fact, there will be less water than the system needs with continuous supply.
If you continue to supply it around the clock, the pressure in the network will drop, the reservoirs will empty, and some areas will be left without water completely. Therefore, the engineers chose the only technically safe option — to supply water one at a time.
The network will be divided into two large zones:Zone A: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday Season B: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
This will allow:distribute resources evenly, prevent tank emptying, and avoid hydraulic collapse of the system.
The main problem is not the lack of water, but the pressure.
The chairman of the organization, Konstantinos Yorkadzis, explains: the danger is not only in the lack of water. Every time the supply is cut off and then abruptly returned, a pressure surge occurs in the pipes. It is he who destroys the network.
According to the experience of 2008-2009, it is expected that accidents will increase by 30%, leaks will increase, turbid water after switching on, and water losses will increase by about 5%
Moreover, the consequences will remain for a long time — the system will take about three years to return to its current state.
The paradox: less water means more losses
When water is rarely provided, the pipes dry out and then fill up again. Old joints start to leak, new cracks appear, and some of the water goes into the ground. That is, when saving a resource, the actual losses grow.
Even in Nicosia — where the network is considered one of the best — a sharp increase in accidents is expected. The situation may be worse in other cities.
How much will it cost
For a year of restrictions, the utility company predicts:€1,150,000 — lost water payments€1,650,000 — emergency crews and repairs: about €2.8 million
In the next three years:€2.6 million — network damage€3.6 million — water loss: €6.2 million
The total load is approximately €9 million for Nicosia alone.
What does this mean for residents
In fact, it’s not just about saving water, but about changing your lifestyle: you will have to store water, plan washing and cleaning, pressure fluctuations are possible, and after switching on, the water may become cloudy.
And most importantly, even after the restrictions end, the effects will be felt for several more years.
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