Water must be made more expensive

Sir,

Having returned to Cyprus in August 2007 after a absence of nearly five years, I find the water situation even more dire than the previous 10 years from 1993-2003 when I was living here. I got used to the cuts and adjusted my lifestyle to suit the situation. I have fitted water saving devices in my home where appropriate and always save as much grey water as possible; I use a small bucket to collect any run off water from my shower and use this to flush the toilet. But, I’m sad to say many people don’t seem to appreciate the seriousness of the situation. You still see locals washing paths and cars in the dark of night so as not to alert neighbours to their deeds. Also, while on my daily cycle ride I see more and more extra large water tanks being installed on the roofs of private homes. Surely this must deplete the remaining water supply even quicker as these people are taking up to three times more water than there neighbours. I feel the only answer to this is to raise the price of water above the basic allo

wance for a family so that it would make the wastage of water financially prohibitive, and also, require planning permission and tax heavily these extra water tanks.

D. McLean

Limassol

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