An important aspect of the sustainable management of water is to secure the water quality and its protection from pollution. Clean water is a necessary requirement for human health and welfare but it is also necessary for the protection and conservation of the environment.
Within these frameworks, the intention is to protect, improve and secure the good condition of all water resources in Cyprus (good ecological and chemical status of surface water and good chemical and quantitative status of ground water) the protection of the water environment and public health from the adverse consequences of man-made pollution, the enhancement of tolerance to disasters and the adjustment to climatic change.
The EU has developed an integrated water policy which has gradually been shaped to not only face health related challenges but also the environmental impact from the basic sectors using water. The objective is the full compliance of the country with the acquis in the field of water.
One of the priorities is the implementation of Framework Directive on Water (FDW) 2000/60/EU which aims at the protection and improvement of the condition of water in the European Union, based on the principle of an integrated water management as regards the river catchment area. The basic instrument to achieve the objectives of the Directive is the establishment of a River Basin Management Plan including the Measures Programme (MP)_ with a specific deadline and actions to achieve the environmental objectives of the Directive. Particular emphasis is given also to the implementation of relevant directives such as the Directive on Priority Substances 2008/105/EC and 2013/39/EC, the Directive on Ground Water (2006/118/EC) and 2014/80/EU, the Directive on the quality of water for human consumption (98/83/EC) etc, as well as the relevant national legislation on the protection, monitoring and management of water resources.
At the same time, it is important to reinforce the tolerance of the water eco system, so that it adjusts to climatic change and take intensive and targeted measures to manage disasters and handle the consequences of extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods. Within these frameworks, the intention is the implementation of the Drought Management Plan established in accordance with the Framework Directive on Water, (2000/60/EC) and the establishment and implementation of the Flood risk management Plan in accordance with the Directive on Floods (2007/60/EC).
The following projects are being implemented: |
 | • | Implementation of the 2nd River Catchment Area Management Project (RCAMP) for the period 2016-2021 and the Measures Programme which are in force by way of a decision of the Council of Ministers dated 7/10/2016. Indicatively, certain actions are the following: |
| | Action # 46 Launch of the implementation of projects for the use of recycled water in agriculture (Use of recycled water of Western Nicosia and Tersefanou).
Action # 48 Investments in the material elements of active Measure 4 (Implementation of innovative technologies in irrigation networks).
Action # 49 Projects to meet the irrigation requirements of the wider Nicosia area- Vassilikos Conveyor |
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| • | Implementation of European Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks (harmonization legislation on the Assessment, Management and Handling of Risk Floods, Laws of 2010 and 2012) in accordance with the provisions and time scales of the Directive. |
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| • | Gradual implementation and assessment of the results of the Measures Programme of the Flood risk Management Plan (FRMP) in relation to the objectives of the FRMP. |
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| • | The qualitative and quantitative condition of ground water is assessed on a continuous basis. |
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In the field of liquid waste, the full implementation of the Directive on the treatment of urban waste water (91/271/EEC) is a priority. The construction of sewage systems for the management of urban waste water within the framework of the Directive, contributes in the handling of sewage problems arising due to the overflow of drainage pits, which pollute and contaminate the subsoil and ground water, because of the penetration of waste water in the subsoil.
In addition, important benefits arise from the operation of the central sewage systems, such as the production of recycled water and sludge, which can be used as soil additive. Note that there is a delay in the implementation of the Cyprus Implementation Programme established in accordance with the Directive, mainly due to the limited state budget, procedural problems relating to the compulsory acquisition procedures and appeals by providers as well as because communities do not accept the siting of infrastructure projects.
The following projects are in progress: |
| • | Kokkinochoria Complex Sewerage System |
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| • | Solea Complex Sewage System. An indicative action is the construction of a sewage network in Tembria, Korakou, Evrichou, Flasou and Linou as well as the waste water treatment plant. |
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| • | Treatment plant of residential sewage waste water, industrial waste water, redundant sludge and drainage at Vati, Limassol. |
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Another sector that will contribute in the reduction of health issues and the environmental impact and particularly in the protection of water from drainage pollution is the management of solid waste. Despite that compliance with the waste policy of the European Union (Directive 2008/98/EC on Waste and Directive 1999/31/EC on the Landfill of Waste) and the strategy for the implementation of such policy falls within the powers of the Department for the Environment, the Water Development Department has undertaken, within 2015, the role of Operator of the Construction of the new infrastructure projects for the management of waste, determined in the National Strategy for the Management of Municipal Waste (NSMMW) 2015-2021 and is also the Technical Advisor of Exploitation Boards.
The procurement of consulting Services for the preparation of studies, tender documents for the construction of Restoration is in progress: |
| • | Uncontrolled Landfill of Waste of the District of Nicosia and Uncontrolled Landfill of Waste in the District of Limassol |
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| • | Public procurement for the study, construction, operation and maintenance of a residential waste treatment plant in Paphos. |