Workshop 1 - Water management for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

WATER MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN CYPRUS

QUANTITY: DEMAND AND SUPPLY MANAGEMENT

Mr. Nicos TSIOURTIS, Senior Water Engineer, Water Development Department, Nicosia - CYPRUS

Water resources in most Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries are very limited, scarce, finite and expensive to develop. For a sustainable development, their management requires a proper and flexible legal, institutional and organizational setup, the most effective and efficient waterworks, the awareness of the consumers and finally the cooperation of all concerned.

Recognizing the above, the Government of Cyprus has adopted, early enough, a master plan for the optimum development and utilization of the islands water resources. Water resources planning and development is in the hands of the Government, according to the Government Waterworks Law, where the management, operation and maintenance of the waterworks are in the hands of Government agencies, semi-government agencies, local authorities (village and communal), and of private ones. Almost all water belongs to the Government and legal private water rights are safeguarded.

Water demand management is practiced at system level through regulative measures, through waterworks structural measures, water transfer and through water metering, by introducing quotas, water charging, etc. At farm level, the farmers are free to grow any type of crop they wish, but the system's structural and hydraulic capabilities oblige them to use high efficiency on farm irrigation systems. System water deliveries are very flexible (on demand or modified demand). Conjunctive use of water resources is made, where possible and necessary, and waterworks are continuously under rehabilitation. Social acceptability of demand management is understood and accepted by the consumers.

Since Cyprus is suffering from water deficits, due to water shortages or droughts, the water works constructed are of high technology with high capabilities of water supply regulation and automation of the systems. Water budgeting, based on short term and medium term forecasting, for water allocation and distribution is carried out annually using expert systems. Real time management involving monitoring and control is carried out by a telemetry system. There are no perennial rivers and water supply is only available from water stored in surface or ground water reservoirs. Water resources development in Cyprus is based on the construction of surface reservoirs and recharge works. Reservoirs are interconnected through pipelines and water transfer takes place from areas with excess water to areas of water shortage, where groundwater is pumped together with surface water for meeting water demand.

Water charge is a water demand management tool although water for irrigation is heavily subsidized. Fixing of water charge takes into account water cost, the ability of farmers to pay, farmers' income, the profitability of the main crops and other social and strategic parameters related to the conditions of the project area.

Keywords: Water demand management, water resources management, conjunctive use of water, water deficits, water transfer, water charges, water budgeting.