Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A significant ongoing issue for the island is the shortage of water. Population growth, mis-
management of underground aquifers, and years of drought, which depleted water re-
serves in dams and reservoirs, have all added to Cyprus suffering a severe water crisis.
Looking for a permanent and sustainable solution, the South opted to begin building de-
salination plants in the 1990s. There are now four installations (which each produce
40,000 cubic metres of water per day) already supplying over 50% of domestic water and
another being built.
In North Cyprus an ambitious plan to build an underwater pipeline from mainland Tur-
key to North Cyprus has begun construction in 2013. The project - which has an estim-
ated cost of US$484 million - plans to carry a steady supply of water from Turkey to the
North. When completed, it will be the longest undersea water pipeline in the world. While
detractors claim the project is economically unsustainable, others believe that the water
pipeline could not only solve the North's water woes but also be key in finally reuniting
the island by setting up water-sharing plans between North and South.
Although years of meagre rainfall is the main cause of Cyprus' water woes, the influx of nearly three million
tourists every year has also added to the problem. Travellers should endeavour to be extra aware of their water us-
age while here.
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