Mazotos desalination plant moves ahead despite community’s legal challenge

Local droughtwater Mazotos desalination plant moves ahead despite community’s legal challenge Mazotos Desalination Plant Moves Ahead Despite Community's Legal Challenge Relevant News Christodoulides-Costa meeting: EU assistance on Cyprus problem in focus 18 June 2026 Mazotos desalination plant moves ahead despite community’s legal challenge 18 June 2026 Crowbar attack damages five vehicles at Social Services office (photos+video) 18 June 2026 Angelos Nicolaou 18 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The government is determined to proceed with construction of a new mobile desalination unit in the Mazotos community, with a capacity of 40,000 cubic metres of water a day, regardless of legal measures taken by the community, which opposes the project. The Water Development Department said the project is being promoted through expedited but fully lawful and transparent procedures, aimed solely at the public interest and at addressing intensifying water shortage problems, with the goal of covering water needs for the 2027-2029 period. The WDD said it has taken all necessary and required steps for the timely implementation of the project, recognising its importance for covering water needs in that period, without bypassing the obligation to secure all required approvals and licences. Under current planning, the new unit will contribute to the South Conveyor network if it becomes operational in January 2027. Cabinet approves access road The Cabinet yesterday approved construction of the access road network required to reach the desalination unit, paving the way for infrastructure works to begin. Cost rises by more than €6.7 million However, implementation of the project comes with a significant increase in cost. While the initial budget was set at €85 million, a further €6.5 million has now been added for construction of the necessary connection pipelines, both underwater and on land. The cost is also increased by a further €265,015, required for compulsory land expropriation procedures. The €85 million figure includes the total cost of the seven-year contract for the supply of desalinated water, to be signed with the contractor responsible for building and operating the project. Plots assessed as ideal for access route The plots required for the project have been technically and elevation-assessed by the WDD, which carried out a final technical study with a private expert, and have been judged the ideal choice for routing the access road to the mobile desalination unit and for construction of a pumping station. If all required studies are completed and the relevant approvals secured, the unit is expected to be awarded within 2026 and to become fully operational in 2027. Internal evaluation preceded ministry submission Before final decisions were taken and the recommendation submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the WDD completed a comprehensive internal evaluation through multi-criteria analysis. The evaluation covered the area’s planning and environmental constraints, the feasibility of securing land, the technical feasibility of carrying out the works and connecting them to the WDD’s existing water infrastructure, the estimated financial cost, and a preliminary assessment of potential environmental impacts and ways of addressing them. The results were incorporated into an Information Form submitted to the Environmental Authority. Final environmental approval for licensing of the project was issued on June 11, 2026. For its part, the WDD said all required steps have been taken without bypassing the obligation to secure all required approvals and licences, sending a clear message that the project will proceed as planned. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Christodoulides-Costa meeting: EU assistance on Cyprus problem in focus Crowbar attack damages five vehicles at Social Services office (photos+video) Elderly man’s body found in sea off Kiti Flights at all Moscow airports suspended after Ukrainian drone attack, aviation agency says Cyprus narrows GDP gap with EU average to 98% in 2025 Family reports ransom demand for missing student Tax investigations law limits Mafia State probe to 2014 Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.