The Kouklia desalination plant, which was devastated by a fire last December, is anticipated to resume operations by September 20, according to Paphos district governor Charalambos Pittokopitis.
- The Kouklia desalination plant, which was devastated by a fire last December, is anticipated to resume operations by September 20, according to Paphos district governor Charalambos Pittokopitis.
In June, permanent secretary of the agriculture ministry, Andreas Gregoriou, had optimistically projected that the plant would be operational by August. However, recent updates indicate a slight delay, with operations now expected to begin later in September.
Kouklia desalination: Impact of Drought on Water Supply
Pittokopitis highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by a prolonged drought and the destruction of the Kouklia plant. These issues have made it difficult to ensure a steady water supply for residents of Paphos and the surrounding district. “The prolonged drought of the past years and the destruction of Paphos’ desalination plant in Kouklia last December continue to create quite a few difficulties in our efforts to secure the continuous supply of water to consumers in the city and district of Paphos,” he stated.
Additional Desalination Efforts
As part of the broader strategy to tackle water shortages, the Potima desalination plant is also set to begin operations in September. This facility has the capacity to produce 5,000 cubic metres of water per day, with plans to double its output in October. Pittokopitis noted that Paphos has already begun receiving water from a mobile unit installed at Potima, providing 1,000 cubic metres daily. A second mobile unit is expected to be operational shortly.
Future Water Supply Projections
By October, the water supply from the Kouklia desalination plant is projected to reach 15,000 cubic metres daily, supplemented by an additional 12,000 cubic metres from Potima’s larger unit and two smaller units. Currently, the Asprokremmos water distillation plant serves as the main water source for lower Paphos, with a capacity of 30,000 cubic metres per day. However, this figure is set to decrease to 15,000 cubic metres in October as reserves at the Asprokremmos dam dwindle to approximately 8 million cubic metres.
Community Awareness and Conservation
Pittokopitis expressed cautious optimism regarding the water situation but emphasised the need for responsible usage. He urged residents to be mindful of their water consumption, stating, “We must all be very careful and frugal when it comes to using water, because even the last drop is useful.” The assurances from the water development department suggest that current reserves should suffice until the desalination units are fully operational and the winter rains arrive.
The combination of the Kouklia and Potima plants is a crucial step in alleviating the water supply crisis in Paphos, as officials and residents alike anticipate a return to normalcy in water availability as the summer months draw to a close.