Cyprus has launched a nationwide campaign urging households and businesses to reduce water consumption as the island faces continued pressure on its water reserves. Authorities say the initiative aims to cut national water use by 10% during 2026, equivalent to saving around 10 million cubic metres of water.
The campaign, titled “Water for tomorrow”, is being coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Water Development Department.
National awareness campaign
Officials say the initiative is designed to raise awareness about the current state of Cyprus’ water reserves and encourage more responsible water use across households and businesses.
The campaign will also address public questions about water consumption in sectors such as tourism and golf facilities, while explaining the broader challenges involved in managing the island’s water resources.
Authorities note that dam levels have dropped to around 21% of capacity following prolonged dry conditions.
Focus on schools and youth engagement
A central element of the strategy is outreach in schools. Officials from the Water Development Department have already visited 30 schools in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos during 2026.
The programme is expected to expand across the government-controlled areas of Cyprus, with students encouraged to act as “ambassadors” for water conservation within their families.
The Ministry of Education is also introducing the initiative “Not a drop wasted”, while a campaign titled “Words flow, not water” will encourage students to promote water-saving habits.
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said systems for reusing grey water from sinks will be installed in schools. Schools are also being equipped with drinking water coolers in an effort to provide safe drinking water and reduce reliance on bottled water.
Kouris dam at centre of campaign
The Kouris dam, which supplies water to the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta, has been placed at the centre of the campaign.
Water reserves at the dam currently stand at about 22 million cubic metres, with the reservoir roughly 19% full.
A short film produced as part of the campaign presents the dam as a symbol of the island’s water resources and highlights the need to protect it through conservation and other measures.
Communication and digital tools
The campaign’s communication strategy includes three teaser videos inspired by the visual style of the television series Stranger Things. The clips contrast scenes of children observing falling water levels with adults distracted by their screens.
The public is also encouraged to download a new mobile application called “Stagono-metro”, which allows users to monitor their household water consumption.
Water-saving devices and practical measures
Alongside awareness activities, authorities are introducing practical measures aimed at reducing water use.
The Ministry of Agriculture has begun procuring 1,500 water-saving devices for businesses and plans to expand similar measures to households.
The Water Development Department has also launched a tender to supply three million faucet aerators and shower flow reducers. These devices will be distributed nationwide by post in 600,000 envelopes, while residents will be able to report installation through a digital platform.
Long-term water management challenges
Cyprus remains one of the driest countries in the European Union. Authorities say 2025 was the eighth-worst year on record for rainfall, while average annual rainfall has declined by about 10% since the mid-1990s.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the average daily water consumption per person in Cyprus is about 140 litres. Authorities aim to reduce this figure to 125 litres.
A documentary titled “Water speaks” will also be produced as part of the campaign, examining water management and the energy costs associated with desalination.
Officials are encouraging residents to adopt simple water-saving habits, including limiting showers to five minutes, avoiding the use of hoses for cleaning, choosing plants that require less water, checking for leaks and using the Stagonometro application to monitor consumption.