Water & Environment of Cyprus
The Water Problem
Cyprus is one of the driest regions in Europe.
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Climate | Mediterranean, dry summer |
| Rivers | All seasonal, dry up in summer |
| Consumption | Population growth + tourism |
| Climate | Global warming worsens the drought |
💡 Consumption norm in Cyprus: ~200 l/person/day (4 times more than the survival minimum)
Reservoirs (Φράγματα, "Frágmata")
Cyprus has 108 dams — the most per capita in Europe.
Total capacity: ~330 million m³ (≈ 332 million m³ in the Water Development Department catalogue of 108 reservoirs). Kouris alone ≈ 1/3.
Largest dams
| # | Dam | Greek name (Φράγμα …) | River | District | Year | Volume, million m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kouris | Κούρη | Kouris | Limassol | 1988 | 115 |
| 2 | Asprokremmos | Ασπρόκρεμμου | Xeros Potamos | Paphos | 1982 | 52.4 |
| 3 | Evretou | Ευρέτου | Stavros tis Psokas | Paphos | 1986 | 24 |
| 4 | Kannaviou | Κανναβιού | Ezousa | Paphos | 2005 | 18 |
| 5 | Kalavasos | Καλαβασού | Vasilikos | Larnaca | 1985 | 17.1 |
| 6 | Dipotamos | Διποτάμου | Pentaschoinos | — (below Lefkara) | 1985 | 15.5 |
| 7 | Lefkara | Λευκάρων | Syrgatis (Pentaschoinos) | Larnaca | 1973 | 13.85 |
| 8 | Germasogeia | Γερμασόγειας | Germasogeia | Limassol | 1968 | 13.5 |
| 9 | Achna | Άχνας | Off-stream (end reservoir of the Southern Conveyor) | Famagusta (free) | 1987 | 6.8 |
| 10 | Solea | Σολέας | Off-stream | — | 2010 | 4.5 |
| 11 | Arminou | Αρμίνου | Diarizos | Paphos | 1998 | 4.3 |
Big three: Kouris (Limassol) > Asprokremmos > Evretou (both Paphos). The three big Paphos dams: Asprokremmos, Evretou, Kannaviou.
❓ What is the largest dam in Cyprus?
→ Kouris (Κούρη) — 115 million m³
Fact about Kouris Dam:
- Built in 1988
- Height — 110 m
- Collects water from three rivers: Kouris (Κούρης), Limnatis (Λιμνάτης), Kryos (Κρυός) — together they form the Kouris basin
- The Kouris river reaches the sea in Episkopi Bay
- During construction the village of Alassa (Αλάσσα, "Alása") had to be relocated
Desalination of Water (Αφαλάτωση, "Afalátosi")
Cyprus actively uses seawater desalination — this is the main source of drinking water.
Major plants (5 permanent)
| Plant | Greek name | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Dhekelia | Δεκέλεια | 60 000 m³/day |
| Larnaca | Λάρνακα | 60 000 m³/day |
| Vasilikos | Βασιλικός | 60 000 m³/day |
| Episkopi | Επισκοπή | 40 000 m³/day |
| Paphos | Πάφος | 15 000 m³/day |
Total capacity: ~235 000 m³/day
💡 Desalination covers more than 75% of drinking-water needs (Water Development Department, August 2026); the goal is to cover all drinking water from desalination.
New permanent plants (approved 2 September 2026)
| Plant | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Dhekelia (Δεκέλεια) | 80 000 m³/day |
| Ayia Thekla (Αγία Θέκλα) | 30 000 m³/day |
| Polis Chrysochous (Πόλη Χρυσοχούς) | 10 000 m³/day |
| East Limassol (approved earlier) | 60 000 m³/day |
| Total, four new plants | 180 000 m³/day |
The plants still need permits; they are part of the six-year desalination plan 2025–2031.
Mobile Desalination Units (2025)
In 2025, due to an acute water shortage, Cyprus received 14 mobile desalination units from the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
| Fact | Data |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 14 units |
| From where | UAE 🇦🇪 |
| Cost | Free (a gift) |
| Capacity | +15 000 m³/day |
| Delivery | May 2025; installed at Moni (Limassol), running since July 2025 |
The exam (July 2025) said 14 units; the press reported 13 at delivery. The UAE made them available until the end of 2026.
❓ From where did Cyprus receive mobile desalination units in 2025?
→ UAE (United Arab Emirates)
Water Saving
Government measures:
- 🚿 Restrictions on lawn watering
- 💰 Fines for irrational use
- 📢 Awareness campaigns on responsible consumption
- 🏨 Subsidies to hotels for their own desalination plants
Environment
Protected Areas
| Place | Greek name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Akamas | Ακάμας | National Forest Park (2016), Natura 2000 |
| Larnaca Salt Lake | Αλυκή Λάρνακας | Ramsar site, Natura 2000 |
| Troodos | Τρόοδος | UNESCO Global Geopark, National Forest Park, Natura 2000 |
| Cape Greco | Κάβο Γκρέκο | National Forest Park (1993), Natura 2000 |
| Lara–Toxeftra | Λάρα – Τοξεύτρα | Sea-turtle reserve (Paphos) |
| Cedar Valley | Κοιλάδα των Κέδρων | Nature micro-reserve — not a park |
Labels explained below: Natura 2000, National Forest Parks, Ramsar, Blue Flag.
Akamas Peninsula (Ακάμας, "Akámas")
- Area: 230 km²
- Status: National Forest Park (Εθνικό Δασικό Πάρκο, "Ethnikó Dasikó Párko")
- Part of the Natura 2000 network
- 168 bird species, 20 reptile species, 600+ plant species
- Nesting site for sea turtles
💡 Akamas is the most biodiverse area of Cyprus
Larnaca Salt Lake (Αλυκή Λάρνακας, "Alikí Lárnakas")
- The second largest salt lake in Cyprus
- Area: 2.2 km²
- Consists of 4 lakes: Aliki, Orfani, Soros, Spiro
- Ramsar site (of international importance) — since 11 July 2001
- In winter — up to 12 000 flamingos 🦩
- Akrotiri Salt Lake is also a Ramsar site (2003), but it is listed by the UK — it lies inside the British base
❓ Which lake in Cyprus is a Ramsar site?
→ Larnaca Salt Lake (Αλυκή Λάρνακας)
Troodos — UNESCO Geopark (Τρόοδος, "Tróodos")
- Included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in 2015
- Area: 1 147 km² (15% of Cyprus’ territory)
- Highest point: Mount Olympus (Όλυμπος, "Ólympos") — 1 952 m
- Unique ophiolite complex 92 million years old
⚠️ Troodos is a geopark, not a biosphere reserve!
Natura 2000
EU network of protected nature sites.
- Covers 31% of the area under government control (Department of Forests); usually rounded to about 30%.
- 75% of state forest land is inside the network.
| Site | Greek | District |
|---|---|---|
| Akamas Peninsula | Χερσόνησος Ακάμα | Paphos |
| Paphos Forest | Δάσος Πάφου | Paphos / Nicosia |
| Polis – Gialia coast | Περιοχή Πόλις – Γιαλιά | Paphos |
| Cape Aspro – Petra tou Romiou | Ακρωτήριο Άσπρο – Πέτρα του Ρωμιού | Paphos / Limassol |
| Troodos National Forest Park | Εθνικό Δασικό Πάρκο Τροόδους | Limassol / Nicosia |
| Machairas Forest | Δάσος Μαχαιρά | Nicosia |
| Madari – Papoutsa | Μαδαρή – Παπούτσα | Nicosia |
| Larnaca Salt Lakes | Αλυκές Λάρνακας | Larnaca |
| Oroklini Lake | Λίμνη Ορόκλινης | Larnaca |
| Rizoelia National Forest Park | Εθνικό Δασικό Πάρκο Ριζοελιάς | Larnaca |
| Cape Greco | Κάβο Γκρέκο | Famagusta |
| Paralimni Lake | Λίμνη Παραλιμνίου | Famagusta |
❌ Marinas (Ayia Napa, Limassol) are not Natura 2000 sites. They hold a Blue Flag — a different label.
📍 In the exam: About what share of the area controlled by the Republic belongs to Natura 2000?
Answer: About 30% (31%).
National Forest Parks (Εθνικά Δασικά Πάρκα) — 11
| Park | Greek | District | Declared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athalassa | Αθαλάσσα | Nicosia | 1985 |
| Troodos — largest | Τρόοδος | Limassol / Nicosia | 1992 |
| Cape Greco | Κάβο Γκρέκο | Famagusta | 1993 |
| Polemidia | Πολεμίδια | Limassol | 1996 |
| Rizoelia | Ριζοελιά | Larnaca (by Aradippou) | 1998 |
| Petra tou Romiou | Πέτρα του Ρωμιού | Paphos | 2001 |
| Machairas | Μαχαιράς | Nicosia | 2004 |
| Akamas — newest | Ακάμας | Paphos | 2016 |
Also on the list of 11: Paidagogiki Akadimia, Liopetri, Agios Nikandros.
❌ Not National Forest Parks: Cedar Valley / Tripylos (nature micro-reserves inside Paphos Forest), Madari (flora and fauna protection area).
📍 In the exam: When was the Akamas peninsula declared a National Forest Park?
Answer: In 2016.
Blue Flag (Γαλάζια Σημαία)
| What it is | International eco-label for clean and safe beaches and marinas |
| Who awards it | FEE — Foundation for Environmental Education (Copenhagen); takes the final decision |
| Run in Cyprus by | CYMEPA (Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association), non-profit, with FEE |
| Cyprus joined | 1994 |
| Flags (2026) | 46 beaches + 2 marinas (Limassol Marina, Ayia Napa Marina) |
| Most flags (2026) | Famagusta district: 27 of 46 (Paralimni 14, Ayia Napa 13) · Paphos 13 · Larnaca 3 · Limassol 3 |
📍 In the exam: In which district are most of the Blue Flag beaches?
Answer: Famagusta.
Lara–Toxeftra turtle reserve (Λάρα – Τοξεύτρα)
- Paphos district: south-west Akamas, about 15 km north of Paphos town
- Marine reserve under the Fisheries Law (1989); on the Mediterranean SPAMI list since 2013
- Nesting beaches of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Wildlife
Mouflon — Agrino (Αγρινό, "Agrinó")
The Cypriot mouflon is the largest wild mammal on the island.
| Fact | Data |
|---|---|
| Latin name | Ovis gmelini ophion |
| Habitat | Paphos forest, Troodos mountains |
| Population | ~3 000 individuals |
| Status | Protected species |
| On euro coins | 1, 2, 5 cents 🪙 |
❓ Which animal is depicted on the Cypriot 1, 2, 5 cent coins?
→ Mouflon (Αγρινό)
Sea Turtles (Θαλάσσιες χελώνες, "Thalássies helónes")
Two species nest on Cyprus beaches:
| Species | Scientific name | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| Loggerhead | Caretta caretta | Καρέττα |
| Green turtle | Chelonia mydas | Πράσινη χελώνα |
Nesting sites: Akamas beaches (Lara Bay), protected by law
Forest Fires (Δασικές πυρκαγιές, "Dasikés pyrkagiés")
In summer Cyprus is prone to forest fires.
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Heat | Temperatures 35-40°C |
| Drought | Dry vegetation |
| Winds | Strong seasonal winds |
| Humans | Arson, carelessness |
Services involved: fire service, volunteers, aviation (airplanes and helicopters)
Responsible Ministry
❓ Which ministry is responsible for the environment in Cyprus?
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
(Υπουργείο Γεωργίας, Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Περιβάλλοντος, "Ypourgeío Georgías, Agrotikís Anáptyxis kai Perivállontos")
Minister (since 6 August 2026): Christos Senekis (Χρίστος Σενέκης, "Chrístos Senékis"), who replaced Maria Panayiotou
What to Remember for the Exam
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Mobile desalination units (2025) | 14 |
| From where the desalination units came | UAE 🇦🇪 |
| Largest dam | Kouris (Κούρη) — 115 million m³ |
| Total number of dams | 108 |
| Total capacity of dams | ~330 million m³ |
| Permanent desalination plants | 5 |
| Ramsar site | Larnaca Salt Lake |
| Status of Troodos | UNESCO Geopark (since 2015) |
| Highest point of Cyprus | Olympus — 1 952 m |
| Environment ministry | Agriculture and Environment |
| Symbol of Cyprus nature | Mouflon (Αγρινό) |
| Mouflon on coins | 1, 2, 5 cents |
| Mouflon population | ~3 000 |
| 2nd / 3rd largest dam | Asprokremmos (Xeros river) / Evretou — both Paphos |
| Kalavasos dam — district | Larnaca |
| Germasogeia dam — district | Limassol |
| Kouris basin | Kouris + Limnatis + Kryos |
| Natura 2000 share | ~30% (31%) of the government-controlled area |
| National Forest Parks | 11; newest Akamas (2016) |
| Cedar Valley | Micro-reserve, not a National Forest Park |
| Rizoelia park — district | Larnaca |
| Blue Flag | Clean, safe beaches and marinas; run by CYMEPA |
| Most Blue Flags (2026) | Famagusta district |
| Lara–Toxeftra turtle reserve | Paphos |
Useful Greek Words
| Russian | Greek | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Вода (Water) | Νερό | neró |
| Плотина (Dam) | Φράγμα | frágma |
| Опреснение (Desalination) | Αφαλάτωση | afalátosi |
| Засуха (Drought) | Ξηρασία | ksirasía |
| Лесной пожар (Forest fire) | Δασική πυρκαγιά | dasikí pirkiá |
| Окружающая среда (Environment) | Περιβάλλον | periválon |
| Черепаха (Turtle) | Χελώνα | helóna |