**Nicosia EOA Chief Advocates for Unified Water Authority to Enhance Resource Management**
Nicosia, Cyprus – In a recent statement, Constantinos Yiorkadjis, the chief of the Nicosia district local government organization (EOA), has called for the establishment of a single, financially and administratively independent water authority to manage the country’s water resources more effectively. Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Saturday, Yiorkadjis emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to oversee the entire water chain, which includes supply, sanitation, irrigation, resource management, consumer pricing, and future infrastructure investments.
Yiorkadjis highlighted that the recent adverse weather conditions exposed critical weaknesses in the current water management system, particularly the absence of a unified network for rainwater drainage. He noted that prior to local government reforms, individual municipalities were responsible for maintaining their own rainwater systems, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies.
As part of ongoing efforts to address these issues, Yiorkadjis announced that repair and reinforcement works on a culvert in Digenis Akritas, located between Vasilopotamos and Kotsirkas, are set to commence next month. This project is expected to cost approximately €2.3 million. Additionally, a separate study is underway to develop stormwater drains between Lakatamia and Strovolos, near the Apoel stadium, with construction anticipated to begin early next year.
Following the storms in August, the EOA identified several problem areas in Engomi, prompting the organization to update existing studies and commission a new, more comprehensive analysis of the water management infrastructure. Yiorkadjis stated that discussions are currently taking place with all municipalities in the Nicosia district to formalize cooperation agreements. These agreements would facilitate the sharing of machinery and pumping equipment during emergencies, enhancing the region's ability to respond to similar weather events in the future.
In a move to generate funds for maintenance and repair work, Yiorkadjis announced the introduction of a minimum fee of €0.05 per thousand liters for rainwater pipes. This initiative is expected to yield around €2 million annually, which will be allocated for necessary upkeep of the water infrastructure.
On the topic of water sufficiency, Yiorkadjis expressed support for government plans to construct three new desalination units. However, he cautioned that simply increasing water production is insufficient to address the broader challenges facing the region. He pointed out that significant quantities of rainwater are lost to the sea or underground each year, underscoring the need for a more holistic strategy that captures and utilizes this resource effectively.
Yiorkadjis's proposal for a unified water authority aims to streamline operations, improve resource management, and enhance the overall resilience of Nicosia's water infrastructure. As discussions continue among local governments and stakeholders, the push for a coordinated approach to water management is gaining traction, with the potential to significantly improve the region's response to both regular and extreme weather patterns.
The establishment of such an authority could mark a pivotal shift in how water resources are managed across Cyprus, ensuring that the region is better prepared for future challenges while promoting sustainable practices in water usage and conservation.