Water Management in Cyprus and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive

Water Management in Cyprus and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive

Sofoclis AletrarisDirector

Water Development DepartmentMinistry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

Republic of Cyprus

CYPRUS CLIMATE CONFERENCEClimate Change: A challenge for Europe and Cyprus

27 – 29 November, 2009Goethe Centre Nicosia

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OVERVIEW OF CLIMATE CHANGE

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Significant impact on quality and availability of water due to CC

Intergovernmental Panel on CC:– Water scarcity to affect 1.1-3.2 bn people if

temperatures rose by 2-3 Co

– Drought affected areas to increase

At European Union level: – Areas & people affected by droughts

between 1976-2006: +20%

– 2003: >100 m people (20%) & >1/3rd of EU territory affected by droughts

– Cost of damage: €8.7 bn (2003), €100 bn (over the past 30 years)

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Change in mean annual temperature by the end

of this century (Co)

Change in mean annual precipitation by the end

of this century (%)

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE OF WATER SCARCITY AND DROUGHTS IN THE EU

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Addresses challenge of water scarcity & droughts in EU

Provides fundamental & well developed first set of policy options for future action

States clear commitment from EU to jointly establish the adequate conditions to implement foreseen actions & develop further knowledge

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Put the right price on water based on “user pays” principle– Introduce compulsory metering programmes

Promote water saving & water efficiency measures– Tremendous potential for water savings in EU

• 20% of water estimated to be wasted (could go up to 40%)

– Change how water is channelled to users & how it is used• E.g. promote installation of water saving devices

Proper allocation of water use between economic sectors Clear water hierarchy: water saving to become priority Application of effective water pricing & cost-effective measures

before opting for additional water infrastructures Integration of water sustainability & sustainable land use Adaptation of activities to locally available amount of water

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ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE OF WATER SCARCITY AND DROUGHTS IN CYPRUS

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– Cyprus & Malta are the “water poor” countries of Europe with lowest water availability/capita

Semi-arid climate Limited water resources

– Depend mainly on rainfall

– Scarce & expensive to explore

Unevenly distributed rainfall Frequent occurrence of droughts

Most of the water demand management measures presented in the Communication have been applied, but water scarcity problem remains

Water scarcity is a very serious problem for Cyprus

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Annual Rainfall Distribution (mm)

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Stepped drop of precipitation in the early 70s

Climate models predict rise in temperature and increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme drought events

These conditions, coupled with increased water demands are worsening the water scarcity problem in Cyprus

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Figure above represents water needs, which are rarely satisfied– Since 1996, water demand for irrigated agriculture

was satisfied only in 2004 when all dams over-spilled

Integrated & sustainable approach to water management

Strategic planning– Long term actions to

meet future demands under scarcity conditions

– Short term actions to face a particular drought event within the existing framework

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Applied to all Government Water Works (GWW) on a yearly basis, depending on climatic conditions

Includes restrictions to water use & other water demand and supply management measures

Water from GWW allocated to different uses with priority to domestic sector, including tourism

Remaining quantity allocated to agriculture using a quota system & penalty charges for over-consumption

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Allocation of water from

GWW

– Allocation to farms depends on crop & area irrigated

– Over-consumption rate is multiple of usual tariff

Implementation embarked in the late 60s Objective: to satisfy in a sustainable way the

different users of water and safeguard human & other life

Measures implemented to increase water availability and decrease water demand

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Increased dams capacity Drilled boreholes for domestic and irrigation purposes Constructed water treatment plants & recharge works

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Accumulated Storage Capacity (MCM of water)

Installed improved on farm irrigation systems Constructed modern, efficient conveyance and

distribution systems Imposed water charges for domestic and irrigation

water

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Climate change caused a drop of 20% in precipitation resulting to a 40% reduction in surface runoff

Experienced more frequent occurrence of extreme drought events

Rapid increase in population and tourist arrivals in Cyprus

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Inflow of water to the Dams (MCM)

Groundwater resources have been the most obvious & easily accessible sources of water for many years

In the attempt to meet the increasing water demand or to mitigate drought effects, they have been heavily over-pumped– Led to seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers

– Deteriorated both quality and quantity

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Forced to turn to seawater desalination in 1997 One mobile & two permanent desalination plants

currently in operation– Additional plants in construction / planning phase

Objective is to eliminate the dependency of potable water on rainfall

Despite environmental & financial costs, experience has shown that desalination remains the only means of achieving water security and independence of domestic water from climatic behaviour

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Recycled water for irrigation and recharge purposes is a growing resource in Cyprus

Reuse schemes using treated sewage effluent are now operational– Many more are under study or construction

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Irrigation of agricultural crops, either directly or through recharge of aquifers/ irrigation of recreational areas & recharge

Annual Recycled Water (MCM) – Tertiary Treatment(28,5% of agricultural water demand)

Metering of water consumption Water charges on a volumetric basis Programs to reduce distribution losses Installation of improved on farm irrigation systems Measures to promote a water-saving culture &

efficiency of water use Water rationing during periods of drought Subsidies for saving potable water

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Cyprus Total Development Budget

Infrastructure and water demand management measures were mostly funded through National Budget

Water infrastructure investments (GWW) in 2007 estimated at €2,58 bn– Significant amount, considering the size, geography,

economy and population of Cyprus

– Considerable proportion was put in water efficiency infrastructure (advanced distribution networks & telemetry systems)

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– For a number of years, funds allocated for water development accounted for approx 1/5th of the Cyprus Development Budget

(1)

(1) Assuming a discount rate of 7,5%

IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE IN CYPRUS

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Establishes a legal framework to protect and restore clean water across Europe

Ensures long-term and sustainable use of water

Sets the goal of achieving “good status” for all of Europe's surface waters and groundwater by 2015

Cyprus is progressing towards full implementation of the WFD

Committed to the efficient and effective implementation of the WFD principles and provisions

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Expand water protection to all waters: inland and coastal surface waters and groundwater

Achieve “good status” for all waters by 2015 Base water management on river basins Combine emission limit values with environmental

quality standards Ensure that water prices provide adequate

incentives for efficient water use Involve citizens Streamline legislation

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Cyprus fulfilled all its obligations up to the end of 2007 Currently preparing RBMP & Programme of Measures using

Consultancy Services– A specific Drought Management Plan will also be developed to

supplement RBMP

– A six-month public consultation on draft RBMP (Art. 14) expected to begin in Feb 2010, whole work to be finalised by Mar 2011

– Work delayed due to legal problems in relation to tenders

Also in progress, implementation of Art. 9, which establishes requirement to implement cost recovery, including environmental & resource costs, “polluter pays” principle & incentive pricing by 2010– Work carried out using Consultancy Services: Contract signed in Feb

2008 and is expected to be completed by 2010 – public consultation to follow

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CURRENT WATER SITUATION IN CYPRUS

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The 2008 winter was extremely dry and the inflow to the reservoirs was only 18,7 MCM

Water reserves of underground aquifers were drastically reduced and water storage in the dams reached dangerously low levels

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Kouris DamApr 2004

Kouris DamSept 2008

In response to the acute drought, a series of emergency measures were applied:– Transfer of potable water from Greece, using tankers

– Almost 100% ban on water supply to agriculture

– Strict restrictions on drinking water supply to households (only 36 hrs per week)

– Extension of the existing desalination plants capacity and installation of mobile ones

– Treatment of the Garillis aquifer to potable water

– Use of new boreholes & purchase of water from private boreholes for domestic supply

– Intensification of water saving promotion campaigns and financial incentives for saving potable water

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Domestic water supply enhancement– Construction of 3 new permanent desalination plants and Kannaviou

Treatment Plant

Replacement and improvement of domestic water supply networks in rural areas– Available amount in national budget for 2009: €15 m for 150 projects

– Funds allocated for 2001-2008: €60 m

Study for exploring the possibility of rainwater utilisation Solea Valley Irrigation Project for irrigation water use improvement Implementation of Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

91/271/EEC and use of recycled water for irrigation Other environmental protection & demand management measures

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Cyprus applied for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund

EU Commission agreed to grand €7,6 million in aid:– Will mainly help reimburse costs of emergency

measures, such as transport of water from Greece

First time the Solidarity Fund was used to provide financial aid in response to an exceptional drought

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Precipitation reached 105% of normal

Water inflow into reservoirs was 97,2 MCM enabling the Government to

– Reduce restrictions on the supply of drinking water from 30% to 15%

– Provide some quantities of water to agriculture

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CONCLUSIONS

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Future presents many challenges for Cyprus– Rapid social changes

– Further economic development

– Climate change

– Water scarcity & droughts

– Escalating water demands in a continuously changing environment

All necessary measures are being taken to ensure water security now and in the future through an integrated multi-objective approach for water management

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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