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Nearly all our practical water resources start as rain falling on the
mountains. There are ample quantities but only a small proportion is
exploitable. However, much, easily captured, rain falls on man-made
structures from where it would be easy to recover literally millions of
tonnes per year for irrigation purposes, relieving some of the burden from
underground sources. Additionally, some considerable quantity could still be
derived from natural sources, by exploiting seasonal water better.
Ground water is currently very badly over-exploited. The problem is that
there are many gaps in our knowledge of the hydrology of Cyprus and a
detailed survey is an urgent necessity. In many places, water tables are
running dry or are suffering badly in quality. Urgent measures are needed to
ensure continuing supplies, including restricting the use of wells and
borehole water. It will be difficult to offer an equitable distribution of
this resource which has hitherto been regarded as a natural right; only a
scientifically established knowledge can be used to do this.
Man-made resources, such as desalination, are urgently required to make
up the shortfall from dams, reservoirs and underground sources, even if
rainfall over the next decade is restored to average levels, which is
unlikely. At least 150,000 tonnes per day are required, increasing annually.
About 10 per cent of this, or 25% of existing desalination capacity, could
be working within six months with small equipment installed in or close to
hotels and holiday apartments to take the pressure off the requirements of
the tourist industry. In the low season, the water produced by these plants
could be a useful supplement to fill coastal town reservoirs. The cost per
tonne for this water would be similar to that from large desalination
plants.
The quality of water should be matched to the use to which it is put.
Potable water should be kept for where it is required and lower quality
water used for irrigation and other purposes. This implies that water must
be periodically analysed. Where the quality is insufficient, for whatever
purpose, means of purification must be used.
Water distribution is an important source of wastage. It is suggested
that over 10,000 tonnes of water are lost every day in distribution systems
throughout the country. Much of this could be eliminated by stop-gap methods
until the system is overhauled and, where necessary, replaced.
Recycling used water is possible in many cases. Controversially, the
technically feasible and economical recycling of sewage is a case in point.
Even if the psychological problems of converting sewage to potable water
prohibit its use for this purpose, purified sewage is ideal for irrigation,
swimming pools etc. New habitations and hotels should be constructed with
grey water systems which will reduce the consumption of potable water by
about half and provide a substantial quantity for garden irrigation.
Agriculture, market gardening and smallholding does not always use
irrigation water to the best advantage and ways are possible to improve crop
yields with less water and, in some cases, less synthetic fertilisers.
Likewise, industry can recycle water to a larger extent, especially if waste
water requirements are stringently adhered to. Householders can also
economise by numerous ways. "Tiger-teams" of trained persons should be made
available to help ordinary persons to economise and, where appropriate, stop
abuse. Complementary to this, paid advertising in all newspapers,
periodicals, radio and television channels should inform everybody how to
save water, with little practical tips. The important point is that no-one
should feel that their standard of life must drop as a result of economy
measures.
The private garden is a particularly difficult problem. There are ways of
using non-potable water to make up the shortfall from the economy measures
and these must be implemented, otherwise there will be illicit use of
potable water, as well as from water tables.
Some of the measures which will be necessary will not be popular. There
is therefore a very real risk that they will not be observed; even existing
laws in the matter are not respected everywhere. It is imperative that very
severe sanctions be applied for contraventions to both existing and
necessary new legislation. The problem remains as to how to police them
effectively. This could be a secondary function of the "tiger-teams" if the
senior members were sworn in accordingly.
It is concluded that both short and long-term measures are required to
restore normality within the next ten years, especially if the current
drought is due to climate change, as may be supposed. By applying these
sensibly, but rigorously, adequate water supplies will be available. The
problem will be within the first four years, during which, especially if
rainfall is inadequate, strict emergency regulation will be required. The
population must be informed accurately, so that profligate use of water can
be stopped in the shortest term, without causing hardship or a loss in the
quality of life. With goodwill, the worst of the problems can be rapidly
resolved.
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