Amid an escalating water shortage, the Audit Office of Cyprus urged swift reforms to safeguard the nation’s dwindling reserves. The report stressed that effective water management has become critical as climate change intensifies scarcity across the island. The Water Development Department (DWD), responsible for overseeing water distribution and sustainability, now carries an even greater responsibility to ensure the Republic’s resources remain secure and efficiently managed.
Weak Oversight and Mounting Debt
Auditors found major flaws in supply monitoring, billing accuracy, and data control. Two key intake points, responsible for 64% of Nicosia’s consumption, were rarely inspected. The DWD lacked access to essential water meters in Limassol and the telemetry network in Larnaca, creating doubts about billing precision. Officials failed to investigate unexplained discrepancies or complete documentation consistently. The Water Billing System also revealed weak access safeguards and data protection.
Financially, the department collected €147.7 million, including €69.2 million in overdue payments, mostly from Local Authorities. Despite agreements to cancel old debts, new liabilities continued to grow. Another €58.1 million worth of water supplied to Turkish Cypriot consumers remained unbilled due to political decisions. Legal recovery efforts lagged, and in some instances, authorities never pursued action.
Urgent Reforms for Sustainable Policy
The Audit Office warned that unchecked over-pumping by private firms threatens nearby water reserves. Inspectors also discovered uncharged consumption by businesses and delays in key projects meant to strengthen supply in Polis Chrysochous and Tilleria, even after a 2022 feasibility study. The findings call for stronger oversight, faster decisions, and a coordinated long-term strategy. Cyprus must replace piecemeal responses with modern, accountable, and sustainable water governance to confront future crises effectively.
