**Reservoir Levels in Cyprus More Than Double Compared to Last Year**
*Cyprus, October 2023* – Recent data from the Water Development Department has revealed a significant increase in the water levels of Cyprus' reservoirs, with current storage exceeding double that of the same period last year. As of Monday, the total water storage across the island's reservoirs stands at 111 million cubic metres (MCM), which accounts for 38.2 percent of total capacity. This marks a notable rise from the 43.9 MCM, or 15.1 percent of capacity, recorded during the same timeframe in 2022.
The report indicates that 17 out of the 18 reservoirs are currently holding more water than they did a year ago, with the sole exception being the reservoir in Achna. The Kouris reservoir, the largest on the island, is currently at 39.4 percent of its capacity, containing 45.3 MCM of water. This figure represents a threefold increase compared to the amount of water stored at the same time last year.
The Kouris reservoir is part of the Southern Conveyor, a vital infrastructure project that was developed in phases starting in the 1980s. This system plays a crucial role in managing water resources by collecting surplus water from the southwest of Cyprus and transporting it through a network of pipelines to supply major urban areas, industrial zones, and agricultural irrigation in regions such as Limassol, Larnaca, and Famagusta.
In addition to Kouris, the Asprokremmos dam, located in the Paphos district, is the second largest reservoir on the island, currently reporting a storage level of 20 MCM, which is 38.4 percent of its capacity. The overall reservoir levels in the Paphos district have also shown improvement, now standing at 28.9 percent full compared to just 10.1 percent last year.
Among the various reservoirs, the Kalopanayiotis reservoir in the Nicosia district boasts the highest percentage of fullness, currently at 99.4 percent. However, it has a relatively low storage capacity, holding only 0.3 MCM of water.
The substantial increase in water levels across the island's reservoirs is a positive development for Cyprus, particularly given the ongoing concerns regarding water scarcity and management in the region. The improved reservoir levels are expected to have a beneficial impact on agricultural activities, urban water supply, and overall water resource management in the coming months.
As Cyprus continues to navigate the challenges of climate variability and water resource management, the current reservoir levels provide a more optimistic outlook compared to last year, reflecting the importance of effective water management strategies and infrastructure development.