Philenews

Haralambos Pittokopitis: New Dams and Chrysochous Desalination Plant Essential

Published January 28, 2026, 08:14
Haralambos Pittokopitis: New Dams and Chrysochous Desalination Plant Essential

Haralambos Pittokopitis, President of the Paphos Water Development Corporation (EOA Paphos), emphasizes the need for new dams and a desalination plant in the Chrysochous area to ensure the water supply of the Paphos province, both in the short and long term. While Paphos has improved its water supply with desalination plants, the construction of the Episkopi Dam (5 million cubic meters) and the Souskiou Dam (a replenishment dam) is essential to strengthen the water balance and support agriculture. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to build a desalination plant to supply the Chrysochous district, which is the only area in Cyprus that is exclusively supplied by boreholes. The prolonged drought has led to a decrease in the available water from the boreholes, making desalination the only viable solution. Mr. Pittokopitis stresses that strengthening the water supply is vital to support farmers and ensure the sustainability of the primary sector in Paphos. The lack of water threatens production and the incomes of farmers.