The Pomou Dam currently ranks first in terms of water level among the main dams in the Paphos district, at 67.8%. It is followed by the Agia Marina Dam at 56% and the Argakas Dam at 54.1%.
Among the district’s largest dams, the water level stands at 44.7% at the Kannaviou Dam, 41% at the Evretou Dam, and 37.6% at the Asprokremmos Dam, according to data provided to CNA by the Executive Engineer at the Irrigation Works Operation and Maintenance Service of the Water Development Department, Alexios Frageskou, who noted that the situation at the Paphos dams is currently significantly better compared to the same period last year.
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In contrast, Mavrokolympos has the lowest water level among the district’s main reservoirs, at 34.2%.
In total, 43.3 million cubic meters of water are currently stored in Paphos’s main reservoirs, Mr. Frageskou reported, adding that the improved situation is attributed to the favorable inflows recorded during the 2025–2026 hydrological year.
Despite the positive figures, reserve management remains cautious, noted Mr. Frageskou, who stated that based on current data, there appears to be no immediate risk to water sufficiency in the coming months, neither for domestic water supply nor for irrigation.
Paphos’s water supply does not rely exclusively on dams, as desalination plants and reclaimed water now play a significant role.
The Water Development Department is implementing a multi-year plan extending through the end of 2028, with the aim of maintaining sufficient reserves for water supply and meeting approved irrigation needs.
Despite the improved condition of the dams, the increased consumption of drinking water recorded in 2026 has negatively affected the district’s water balance.
On an annual basis, according to the data, the Pafos Water Supply Authority’s systems make available approximately 7.6 to 8.9 million cubic meters of water from the dams for domestic use, while approximately 2.5 million cubic meters are allocated for irrigation.
Water reserves are managed with a priority on ensuring water supply, while the allocation of water for irrigation is adjusted based on available quantities and crop needs.
Mr. Frageskou pointed out that the prolonged drought of recent years has reduced the reliability of natural inflows into the dams and has increased the need to utilize non-conventional water sources.
At the same time, reduced rainfall limits the replenishment of reservoirs and the natural recharge of groundwater aquifers. For this reason, the planning of the Water Resources Management Plan has now shifted from addressing the needs of a single year to multi-year management of water reserves, as he said.
Source: CNA
