Official assurances that, before taking any drastic measures, the new government would seek to exhaust all possible means of securing the necessary quantities of water, had created hopes that the public might after all be spared the dreaded inconvenience. However, the public was disappointed as a meeting chaired by President Christofias decided to reduce the amount of water available to the water boards from the state plant with thirty percent. Hospitals, factories and other vital services are exempted from the measures.

Although well aware of the severity of the water shortage problem, the public at large has resented the government’s move to apply water restrictions amid criticism that not enough had been done to combat drought on a long–term basis.

The measures as such have also come under strong criticism both from the public, organised groups and some political parties. They argue that water cuts do not really save water since consumers equip themselves with spare water tanks and other storage facilities to cope with the short supply.

The water cuts are also seen as socially discriminatory because many people cannot afford to buy another water tank. Quite a few consumers had their reserve equipment installed since the previous water cuts in 1996-2001 but there are many old and new households that have to buy for the first time.

Another point of criticism over the water cuts is that the limited period of supply and low water pressure are not sufficient to fill tanks in areas at higher altitudes, placing communities in such areas at a disadvantage. Many areas in Nicosia face this problem.

Source: The Cyprus Weekly Newspaper