A 10 percent cut in domestic water supply is not expected to disrupt daily life, provided rational use and close coordination between water authorities
Significant reductions in water allocation for 2026 have been approved by the Cabinet, in an effort to safeguard the country’s water security through to the end of the year. Following a recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Water Management, which was conveyed last week to the Presidential Palace by Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, the Cabinet decided on a 10 percent reduction in domestic water supply and a 33 percent reduction in irrigation.
Specifically, domestic water supply will amount to 103.4 million cubic metres, down from 114 million cubic metres in 2025. The measure is described as preventive, aimed at avoiding uncontrolled water cuts during the coming summer. Irrigation allocations will fall to 22.2 million cubic metres, compared with 33 million cubic metres last year, a decision described as particularly painful for the agricultural sector.
Representatives of agricultural organisations reacted strongly during the committee’s deliberations, voting against the proposal. They argued that deeper cuts should have been imposed on domestic supply in order to better support primary production.
Possible revision if inflows improve
The Cabinet was also briefed on the possibility of revising the decision should water inflows exceed average levels by 30 April, when the hydrological year ends. The relevant benchmarks are 32 million cubic metres for the Southern Conveyor and 11 million cubic metres for Paphos. If this scenario materialises, allocations will be reassessed and additional quantities may be released.
According to estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture, the 10 percent reduction in domestic water supply is not expected to affect citizens’ daily routines, provided there is rational use, compliance with guidelines, and close cooperation between the Water Development Department and local water authorities, including district organisations and communities.
As recently announced, the government is investing €6 million in measures aimed at reducing consumption. These include the procurement and free distribution of water-saving equipment to households and premises, the provision of water-saving devices to public buildings, schools and military camps, and a targeted campaign in the tourism sector, with a goal of achieving a 10 percent reduction in water use.
Mounting pressure on farmers
In contrast, the agricultural sector is expected to face intense pressure. Speaking to Politis, Christos Papapetrou, Secretary General of Pancyprian Farmers’ Union (PEK) and a member of the Advisory Committee on Water Management, warned that the Cabinet decision will further aggravate what he described as an already dire situation.
He noted that the cuts will particularly affect new plantings, permanent tree crops, and greenhouse cultivation. Predicting severe strain on both producers and output, he argued that compensation schemes are insufficient to safeguard either the agricultural sector or the natural environment that farming sustains. As he pointed out, such compensation does not even cover farmers’ social insurance obligations.