The Ministerial Council has approved the National Investment Plan for Water Projects, which centres on implementing a comprehensive water policy that responds to new data and meets the needs for both water supply and irrigation across Cyprus.
In a statement, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, stated that the Ministerial Council approved the National Investment Plan for Water Projects following a relevant proposal she submitted.
This plan is drafted for the first time, following a proposal prepared by the Department of Water Development (DWD). According to today’s decision, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment will coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Investment Plan.
The National Investment Plan achieves:
- Proper prioritisation of projects based on documented needs
- Better allocation of water resources that can be utilised within a framework of rational fiscal management
- Nationwide distribution to meet needs
- Improved implementation of wastewater system construction programme
The national plan prioritises water projects of the DWD and other sewage entities, with a total budget of €1.17 billion.
First-priority projects are under construction and consist of 33 water infrastructure projects for water supply, sewage treatment (in compliance with our commitments to the European Directive on wastewater), reclaimed water, and irrigation, estimated at €721.8 million, with completion targeted for the period 2024-2029.
Under evaluation are another 60 projects estimated at €445.5 million, with start and completion dates in 2025 and 2030 respectively.
“Through the National Investment Plan for Water Projects, we are implementing relevant objectives of the governance programme for water sufficiency and the utilisation of reclaimed water, laying the foundations for establishing a long-term government water policy that strengthens water and wastewater management,” stated the responsible Minister.water projects. Water policy, National Investment Plan, water projects