Amid an escalating water shortage, the Audit Office of Cyprus urged immediate reforms in managing the nation’s reserves. The office emphasized the critical importance of efficient water resource management as Cyprus grapples with climate change and diminishing water availability. The Water Development Department (DWD), tasked with overseeing these resources, plays an increasingly vital role in preventing future scarcity and ensuring sustainable supply across the island.
Gaps in Oversight and Accountability
Auditors found major weaknesses in water metering, billing accuracy, and system monitoring. They noted that two main intake points, covering 64% of Nicosia’s consumption, were not routinely inspected. The DWD lacked access to the Limassol Water Supply Board’s meters and Larnaca’s telemetry system, creating uncertainty about billed quantities. Officials failed to investigate discrepancies in meter readings, and incomplete forms compounded accountability issues. The computerised Water Billing System also suffered from weak access control and data protection, exposing the process to security risks.
Financial Shortfalls and Unchecked Overuse
Auditors reported that TAY collected €147.7 million in total, including €69.2 million in long-standing debts mainly owed by Local Authorities. Despite efforts to cancel older debts under strict repayment conditions, new debts continued to grow. Another €58.1 million worth of water supplied to Turkish Cypriot consumers remained unbilled due to political decisions. Authorities delayed legal action in multiple cases, and over-pumping by private operators persisted without penalties, threatening local reserves. Businesses were found to overconsume water without proper charges, while key adequacy projects in Polis Chrysochous and Tilleria stalled despite completed studies in 2022.
Urgent Call for Sustainable Water Governance
The audit urged stronger oversight, faster decision-making, and better organization within the Water Development Department. It recommended building long-term strategic policies instead of relying on short-term fixes. Cyprus, the report warned, must reinforce control systems and adopt sustainable planning to protect its most critical natural resource from further decline.
