The Audit Office of Cyprus warned that climate change and increasing scarcity demand urgent action on water resource management. The report emphasized that the Water Development Department (DWD) must strengthen its role in safeguarding national water supplies. Officials must act decisively to address both shortages and long-term sustainability threats.
Gaps in Monitoring and Revenue Collection
Auditors found serious flaws in water metering, billing, and record-keeping. Two key intake points, supplying 64% of Nicosia, received infrequent checks. The DWD lacked access to Limassol meters and Larnaca’s telemetry system, raising doubts about billed quantities. Unexplained meter discrepancies went uninvestigated, and forms were incomplete. The computerized billing system exposed weaknesses in access controls and data security.
The department collected €147.7 million, including €69.2 million in overdue debts, mainly from Local Authorities. Officials canceled old debts conditionally, but new liabilities kept accumulating. Officials supplied €58.1 million of water to Turkish Cypriot consumers without invoicing due to political decisions.
Urgent Reforms Needed for Sustainability
Auditors reported delays in legal actions to recover debts and failures to curb over-pumping by private companies. Businesses sometimes overconsumed without charges. Authorities also delayed critical water adequacy projects in Polis Chrysochous and Tilleria, despite completing studies in 2022.
The Audit Office recommended stronger organization, tighter supervision, and more efficient DWD operations. Officials must enforce control mechanisms, make timely decisions, and implement a long-term strategy to achieve sustainable, modern water management.
