WATER CUTS resumed yesterday in all designated areas after the relief provided over the Easter holidays.
Water was supplied through the main network to all water supply authorities over the long weekend, without the cuts imposed to tackle the shortage due to the protracted drought.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment announced that the Water Development Department made all the necessary arrangements so that there were no cuts from Good Friday to Easter Monday to the water boards obtaining water from government supply systems.
The measures were implemented after instructions given by Minister Michalis Polynikis.
Yesterday, Director of the Nicosia Water Board Nicos Zambakides said several areas, notably the Nicosia suburbs of Latsia and Yeri, had encountered supply problems over the weekend.
“In some villages, we could only supply 1,200 cubic metres, whereas demand was for 1,500,” he said. “We had to disconnect some areas for a few hours in order to supply others, but we coped in the end.”
He said that in Nicosia alone, there were 102 reported leakages over the weekend, with technicians already having repaired most.
He added that due to the huge demand in the capital, he had asked the Water Development Department for more water to be supplied. The Director said his request was met with a positive attitude.
According to Zambakides, the price of water will be going up, in order to help water boards with future planning and in order to provide better customer service.
The water boards currently purchase a cubic metre for 75 cents and sell it for 50 cents.
As a result, Zambakides said it was difficult for the boards to meet their financial commitments to the government on time, with the state suing several boards to the tune of €20 million in owed money.
“We must follow tariffs set by the House of Representatives and I must point out that if water boards were private companies, they would be bankrupt by now,” he said.
“However, the Auditor-general has stated that the fact that we cannot pay is not due to mismanagement. We simply cannot survive, and being a semi-government organisation, we are unable to make a profit but only a small surplus for development projects, such as the replacement of existing pipes.”
A European Union directive states that water must be sold to the consumer at full price by 2011.
Last week, it was announced that water transport from Greece can begin as soon as next month, at a ceremony for the signing of the contract between Ocean Tankers and the Water Development Department.
Agriculture Minister Michalis Polynikis hinted there may be a possibility of increasing the quantity of eight million cubic metres of water that was agreed.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Charilaos Stavrakis said the cost to the economy would be in the region of €30 to €40 million.
“Each ton works out to €4 to €5 but will be sold at €1 to €1.5,” he said.
Crisis group established
WITH the aim of facing the problems created due to the water shortages, the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment has decided to set up a Water Crisis Management Group.
An official statement by the Ministry said the Group would convene on a daily basis to tackle in a direct and practical manner the problems which various water authorities are facing. It will also monitor projects to relieve or solve the water shortage as well as problems faced at government water projects.
The group will be headed by the Director of the Water Development Department, while representatives of the Agriculture Department, the Geological Survey Department, the Environment Service, the State Laboratory and the Health Services will participate.
