Water Quality and Quantity Management 2012
Drilling of private boreholes.
In 2012 the Water Development Department (WDD) issued 751 licences for
the drilling of irrigation boreholes and 484 licences for the drilling of boreholes
for domestic purposes, of which 435 and 105, respectively, were issued with
respect to boreholes that had already been drilled illegally.
As we were
informed by the Director of the WDD, due to repeated extensions granted by
the House of Representatives regarding the amnesty for issuing permits for
boreholes that were drilled illegally, Cyprus may not comply with the Water
Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and it is likely that financial sanctions will
be imposed by the European Union. The Director also noted that Cyprus is
required to achieve good status in its aquifers by 2015, while continuing
extensions of the amnesty encourage continued illegal drillings and pumping
water from aquifers that have become brackish, without the WDD being able
to take action against offenders.
Purchase of water from desalination plants.
Following the recent completion of the desalination plants in Vassiliko and
Episkopi, the annual total capacity of the desalination plants amounts to 92
million m3. According to the contracts that have been signed, the State is
bound to cover the capital cost and part of the operating expenses in the case
of a plant being put in standby mode, e.g. in periods of high rainfall.
As mentioned in our 2012 report on adaptation to climate change, the WDD
proceeded with the construction of desalination plants of a capacity greater
than the total needs for potable water supply, without a prior feasibility study
to determine the optimum number, type (temporary or permanent) and
capacity of the plants. We expressed the view that, rather than relying solely
on desalination plants for meeting potable water demand, it would be more
economical to combine the use of desalinated water with the use of water
stored in dams, the treatment cost of which is significantly lower.
The cost of purchasing water from desalination plants in 2012 was €34,17
million plus VAT, representing the value of 17,4 million m3 of water, compared
to €63.78 million for 47,17 million m3 in 2011. The increase in the average
cost of production of desalinated water, from €135/m³ in 2011 to €1,96/m³ in
2012, is mainly due to the fact that the desalination plants of Paphos and
Episkopi were in standby mode and, although no water was produced by
these plants, the cost of their operation was €9,65 million.
The Director of the WDD informed us that the increase is mainly due to the
increasing cost of electricity, and the fact that desalination plants were placed
either in standby mode or in reduced operation. He also noted that the
decision to construct desalination plants was a political one, and the WDD
acted in accordance with the decisions of the Council of Ministers, based on
which the aim was to achieve full independence of water supply from weather
conditions.
The Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, stated that,
in 2012, the total contractual obligation for desalinated water production was
52,6 million m³/year, while in 2013, with the completion of two new plants in
Episkopi and Vassiliko and the termination of the temporary desalination plant
of Garyllis, the total contractual obligation amounted to 82,1 million m³. He
also noted that the contract of the Paphos temporary desalination plant
expires at the end of 2013.
Domestic Sewage and Industrial Waste Processing Unit in Vathia Gonia
– Recycled water production.
During 2012, a total of 2.422.958 m3 of recycled water (1.930.266 m3 in 2011)
was produced by the Vathia Gonia Unit and the wastewater treatment plant of
the Sewerage Board of Nicosia, of which only 800.000 m3 (925.827 m3 in
2011), or 33% of total production, was used for irrigation.
As mentioned in our previous Report, the difference between produced and
distributed quantities of recycled water arises due to its disposal during the
winter months as a result of reduced demand.
On 5.12.2012, the WDD
signed a contract for the construction of a 500.000m3 earthen reservoir in
Vathia Gonia, to store the water produced by the wastewater treatment plants.
Production and management of water from tertiary wastewater treatment
plants.
In 2012 20,2 million m3 of recycled water were produced in urban wastewater
treatment plants, excluding the Mia Milia plant which lies in the occupied part
of the island, of which 9,5 million m3 were used for irrigation, 3,8 million m3
were used to supplement the Ezousa aquifer, 0,2 million m3 were stored in the
Polemidia dam, 3,6 million m3 were dumped in the sea and 0,8 million m3
were released in the Ovgos river over the winter period. We were informed
that the inability of the WDD to ensure utilisation of the treated water is mainly
due to the lack of infrastructure such as irrigation systems for water
distribution and storage reservoirs in which to store water during the winter
months, when demand is low.
The Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment noted that
the Mia Milia wastewater treatment plant, which, during 2012, had produced
8,5 million m3, is situated in an area which is not under the control of the
Republic, a fact which implies that the construction of infrastructure is
necessary to convey the water through the buffer zone to the Vathia Gonia
plant, an extremely difficult endeavour under the present circumstances. In
case the infrastructure is completed, 21.000m3/day will be conveyed to Vathia
Gonia, a quantity that could not be utilised locally, given the increasing
production of the Vathia Gonia Plant. The issue was examined in the past by
the WDD and it was suggested to desalinate the water and use it to irrigate
the Kokkinohoria area through the South Conveyor system. The proposed
solution caused intense reactions due to the disposal of brine into the sea.
The matter was re-examined in 2010 and a final conclusion was reached to
use the recycled water in the broader Nicosia area to irrigate municipal parks
and cultivations.
We repeated the view that the WDD should consider ways of improving the
use of recycled water produced, so that water stored in dams is released for
other uses.
The Director of WDD informed us that the Department has performed
feasibility studies and environmental impact studies of possible uses of the
recycled water produced by the plants in Larnaca and Anthoupolis, however
the necessary funds to complete the infrastructure are not available.
Furthermore, the Director noted that the Department has repeatedly raised
the issue of the increasing quantities of recycled water that will result with the
completion of the second phase of the Larnaca sewerage system and the
subsequent problems in the use of this water.
Water supply to golf courses.
As is described more extensively in our previous Reports, on 16.2.2005 the
Council of Ministers approved a policy to encourage investment in golf
courses, explicitly noting that no applications to irrigate new golf courses
using boreholes or government dams will be approved, with the exception of
the four existing golf courses in Paphos District, which would continue to be
irrigated according to previously reached agreements.
With its later decision dated 5.2.2009, the Council of Ministers approved that
the water supply from governmental water works to three of the existing golf
courses is terminated, and that the courses are irrigated with water produced
by a desalination plant operating on electricity produced by renewable energy
sources.
Furthermore, with its decisions dated 3.6.2009 and 27.1.2011, the
Council of Ministers approved annual extensions for the supply of water to the
licensed courses under the agreed regime, so that the necessary time is given
for the investors to conform with the provisions of the Decision dated
5.2.2009.
Given the lengthy procedures required for the licencing and
construction of the private desalination plants, the Ministry of Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Environment suggested to the competent Ministerial
Committee that the licensed courses are given a time extension of two years,
i.e. up to 3.6.2013. Despite the fact that the suggestion was not adopted or
put before the Council of Ministers for approval, the WDD continues to provide
water to these courses from government water works. Consequently, in 2012
398.365 m3 of water were supplied for this purpose from the Paphos Irrigation
Project and 365.698 m3 from the Ezousa aquifer, which is supplemented with
recycled water.
The WDD, with its letter dated 3.12.2012 to the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, repeated the
need for the Council of Ministers to reach a decision on whether to grant a
further extension for the supply of water to licensed golf courses from
government water works / sewerage systems. Alternatively, the WDD
recommended that the matter is dealt with by the Ministerial Committee, as
per the Decision of the Council of Ministers dated 3.6.2009, according to
which the Committee can negotiate the terms of each complex, without
submitting the matter to the Council, unless in the case of a dispute between
its members.
As described in our previous Reports, the imminent operation of a wastewater
treatment plant in Polis Chrysochous is expected to produce large quantities
of recycled water and we suggested that timely arrangements are made for
the utilisation of any quantities remaining after satisfying agriculture needs, for
the irrigation of golf courses in the area. Based on our suggestion and
following the request of an investor for the irrigation of two golf complexes
with recycled water produced by the tertiary wastewater treatment plant in
question, the matter was forwarded to the Council of Ministers which granted
its approval on 30.8.2012.
Additionally, at the request of interested companies and following a technical
evaluation
of
the
relevant
government
departments
(Department
of
Environment and WDD), the terms for the water supply to certain golf
complexes were modified with subsequent Decisions of the Council of
Ministers dated 31.1.2012 and 30.8.2012.
These Decisions approved the
provision of recycled water to serve the irrigation needs of another three
complexes and the provision of potable water to these from government
desalination plants or dams. The applicants have undertaken to construct and
operate the necessary water conveyance infrastructure.
Furthermore, the WDD has prepared a proposal for the revision of the
arrangements of water supply to golf complexes, which was approved by the
Ministerial Committee on 5.6.2013 and was sent to the Ministry of Energy,
Commerce, Industry and Tourism, to be incorporated into the Proposal to be
submitted to the Council of Ministers. According to the Proposal, all irrigation
needs of golf complexes could be covered by tertiary sewage treatment plants
and the recycled water provided will be invoiced based on the full cost of
tertiary treatment and conveyance, plus environmental costs. Potable water
supply may be covered by government water systems and dams, and the
price charged will be equal to the price of potable water supplied from
government water systems plus environmental costs.
Quality of potable water in Communities.
As is extensively described in our previous Reports, according to the results
of a relevant study completed in May 2010, the sources and boreholes used
for water supply in several Communities are continuously degrading due to
the increased water demand, the repercussions of over-pumping and
insufficient replenishment as a result of climate change.
In our previous Reports we expressed the view that the problem of ensuring
adequate water supply to affected Communities should be addressed by the
WDD so that the timely measures are taken to deal with it.
The WDD has completed a census of all boreholes used for potable water
supply and carries out regular monitoring lab tests to boreholes used as the
sole drinking water source in Communities with no other water sources. Upon
application of the procedures protocol in 2010, local authorities are promptly
informed in cases of results beyond tolerable levels.
However, in certain
cases, local authorities of Communities that are connected to an urban water
supply network, continue to use water from problematic boreholes for cost
saving purposes, placing public health in potential risk.
We noted that, based on the Law on the Quality of Water for Human
Consumption (Monitoring and Control), the responsibility for maintaining the
quality of water supplied to the public lies with the local authority. However,
the Law does not define sanctions in cases of non-compliance.
The
competent Authority for the implementation of the Law is the Director of
Medical and Public Health Services.
The Director of WDD informed us that the procedures protocol is being
implemented and the system operates without serious problems.
Protection zones for potable water supply boreholes.
According to Regulatory Administrative Act (RAA) 707/2004, the WDD is
defined as the competent Authority for determining protection zones around
each borehole for potable water supply, with the objective of limiting
groundwater pollution.
The WDD has so far defined protection zones for 140 out of the roughly 475
potable water boreholes that were recorded by the WDD in December 2011.
Furthermore, the WDD is in the process of issuing a Decree for another 60
boreholes and, in consultation with the Department of Town Planning and
Housing regarding the review of the urban area plans, the WDD preliminarily
defined zones for another 201 boreholes.
Following the conclusion that the method followed to define protection zones
based on Decree 45/96 does not sufficiently protect the water from chemical
pollutants, the Geological Survey Department, in collaboration with the WDD,
is promoting its modification. Due to the upcoming modification of Decree
45/96, the issue of Decrees to define new protection zones has been
suspended since 2011.
Protection zones for dams used for potable water supply. According to
the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) “member states shall implement
the necessary measures to prevent deterioration of the status of all bodies of
surface water" and for this purpose “may establish safeguard zones for those
bodies of water". In Cyprus, the surface sources of potable water consist of 11
dams (reservoirs), while another two dams are planned to be used for potable
water supply. In order to determine protection zones for these 13 dams, the
WDD has submitted a draft Decree to the Law Office of the Republic for legal
review.
Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water
policy.
(a)
Water pricing policies. According to the provisions of the above
Directive, member states should have ensured, by 2010, that water-pricing
policies provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources
efficiently and thereby contribute to the environmental objectives of the
Directive, while the water-pricing policies are such that enable the recovery of
the costs of water services.
In order to conform with the Directive, the WDD prepared draft Regulations on
water pricing, which were approved by the Council of Ministers in July 2011
and were submitted to the House of Representatives for enactment.
Following a request by the substitute Permanent Secretary of the House of
Representatives, the Regulations were withdrawn and the Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment
re-submitted them on 24.4.2013, while new withdrawals and re-submissions
were made on 5.7.2013 and 13.9.2013.
(b)
River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures.
In
order to meet national obligations resulting from the Water Framework
Directive, the Council of Ministers approved, on 9.6.2011, the River Basin
Management Plan, which was submitted to the European Commission, while
procedures have been initiated for the implementation of the Programme of
Measures which was prepared as per article 11 of the Directive.
According to article 11(7) of the Directive, the programmes of measures
should be operational by the end of 2012 at the latest. According to the report
submitted by the WDD to the European Commission on 22.12.2012 regarding
the progress on the implementation of the Programme of Measures,
satisfactory progress has been noted in the implementation of the Programme
in terms of achieving the environmental targets of the Directive, particularly
considering the difficulty in ensuring the necessary funds. The report notes
that the implementation of 24% of the basic measures and 32% of the
supplementary measures has not yet begun. It is also mentioned that the
measures that have not yet been implemented involve considerable financial
cost and for this reason their implementation will be postponed until 2015, as
per the Decision of the Council of Ministers dated 9.6.2011.
We noted that these measures include water pricing, since the enactment of
the relevant legislation is still pending, as well as measures on the monitoring
and restoration of groundwater bodies at risk, the implementation of which is
hindered by the continuous extensions granted for legalising non-licenced
boreholes. The WDD considers these measures to be the most important for
the fulfilment of the national obligations under the Framework Directive.
(c)
Report from the European Commission to the European Parliament
and the Council on the implementation of the Water Framework
Directive.
According to the provisions of article 18 of the Water Framework
Directive, the European Commission submitted to the European Parliament
and the Council a report on the implementation of the Directive. The report
includes, inter alia, a review of the progress made in the implementation of the
Directive and the River Basin Management Plans, including proposals to
improve future Plans. The report is accompanied by working documents with
detailed assessments of plans submitted by each member state.
The document regarding Cyprus provides recommendations regarding the
completion of the first Plan (2009-2015) and the preparation for the second
Plan (2015-2021), which include:
(i)
Improving the quality of monitoring.
(ii) Measures to tackle water demand and illegal abstractions.
(iii) Increasing the reuse of treated waste water in existing irrigation
networks.
(iv) Designing a clear strategy in the agriculture sector, that defines the
basic/mandatory measures that all farmers should adhere to and the
additional supplementary measures that can be financed.
(v) Cost-recovery for a broad range of water services, also when they are
"self-services", for instance self-abstraction for agriculture.
Illegal dams/extractions
(a)
Illegal construction of private dam.
As discussed in our previous Reports, around 1973 a small diversion dam
was illegally constructed near the mouth of the Ha river, and was extended in
2002-2003. Since then, the water stored in the dam, of a total capacity of
500.000 m3, has been used by a company to irrigate a nearby golf course with
no charges being imposed by the WDD with regard to the quantities of water
used.
On 20.11.2012 the Council of Ministers approved the issue of a licence to the
company for use of part of the river according to terms approved by the
competent Ministerial Committee, and the company applied for the re-issue of
the planning permit revoked, following the rejection of the company’s
application for a permit to intervene in government land by the Council of
Ministers in 2008.
The WDD, with its letter to the Department of Town
Planning and Housing dated 5.3.2013, suggested the inclusion of terms on
the permit to be issued, regarding, inter alia, the fulfilment of legal provisions
regarding the dam’s safety and the payment to the WDD of a resource and
environmental cost corresponding to the quantities extracted, initially set at
€0,11/m3.
(b) Construction of a private dam in the "Anatoliko" area in Paphos
District. The dam in question was constructed illegally by the Holy Monastery
of St. Neophytos for the irrigation of plantations in the area. The dam was
subsequently managed by a paper mill cooperative, which upgraded the dam
with improvement works, such as adding an overflow. Following the closure of
the industry, the dam is again used by the Holy Monastery of St. Neophytos.
We were informed by from the Paphos District Engineer that the WDD has not
taken, nor plans to take, any measures to address the issue.
(c) Part use of a riverbed by the packing plant of a private company in
Nicosia. The WDD, in its letter dated 23.3.2007, informed the Nicosia District
Officer that a company engaged in growing and packing fruit and vegetables,
has illegally constructed three small embankments / storage dams on the bed
of Pedieos river, which store water during the winter, for the irrigation of about
6 decares of farm land. Since the constructions were completed without the
necessary studies, the WDD requested the submission of hydrological,
stability and safety studies, as well as a study regarding the strengthening or
modification of the existing structures, in order to be able to express an
opinion with respect to the licensing of the embankments / dams. On
18.1.2010 the company applied to the District Officer requesting permission to
use part of the riverbed and the District Officer forwarded the hydrological
study
prepared
by
the
company,
to
the
WDD,
on
16.3.2010.
The WDD identified several safety issues, which the company undertook to
resolve. As we were informed by the Department, the company proceeded to
fence in the embankments as requested, and remove pumping mechanisms
from the river.
The Nicosia District Officer filed a lawsuit against the company, following
which the Nicosia District Court, with its decision dated 22.6.2012, imposed a
fine of €550 and issued an order for demolition of the embankment within two
months.
As we were informed by the Director of the WDD, in consultation with the
District Administration Officer, it was decided that the structure is not
demolished, provided that the company will perform all the corrective
measures suggested by the WDD, will terminate use of the structure and
ownership of the project is transferred to the WDD, which will decide on its
use as deemed appropriate.
(d) Illegal water abstraction by a company in Lakatamia. A company with
extensive
cultivations
in
Lakatamia,
has
constructed
an
artificial
lake/reservoir, which it uses to store water for the irrigation of its crops,
without having obtained a licence in accordance with the provisions of the
Law. As a result of unlicensed abstractions, no fees are imposed on the
company
for
the
quantity
of
water
extracted
from
the
reservoir.
The Director of the WDD informed us that the water stored by the company is
recycled and purchased from the Anthoupolis wastewater treatment plant.
The WDD will consider both licensing the project and the issue of a water
abstraction licence under the provisions of the Water Law.
(e) We inquired whether other similar incidents of illegal abstractions or
constructions of illegal water works such have been identified by the WDD, in
addition to those mentioned above.
According to information we received from the Director of the WDD, the
Department has launched a program to detect diversions from rivers, which is
about 80% completed, and identified 300 diversions, both licenced and illegal.
In some of these cases the WDD requested the owners to provide information
regarding
the
design,
construction
method
and
general
technical
characteristics of these projects with a view to first ascertain their safety.
However, no response has been received so far.