Reservoirs in Cyprus are 39.3% full. Achna has only 1%

Cyprus' reservoirs were filled to an average of 39.3% on September 1st, with a total of 117.9 million cubic meters of water. This is more than two and a half times more than a year ago, when at the same time there were only 46.4 million cubic meters. Despite this significant improvement, the situation is still far from comfortable.

The greatest differences are visible between individual reservoirs. Kalopanayiotis is full, and several others exceed 80%, but the country's largest, Kouris, is only 39% full, Lefkara 18%, and Achna a mere 1%. Over the three summer months, the entire system lost approximately 7 million cubic meters of water.

117.9 million m³ instead of 46.4 million

The difference compared to last year is really big.

At the beginning of September 2025, the 21 major reservoirs included in the Water Development Department's inventory included 46.4 million m³ of water and was 15.5% fullNow it is 117.9 million m³ and 39.3%.

This means an increase in inventories by 71.5 million m³, i.e. approximately 154% year to year.

This is a continuation of the marked improvement we have seen previously.

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We previously analyzed why, despite significantly larger supplies, the situation still does not mean the end of water problems:
https://cyprnews.pl/zapory-na-cyprze-maja-ponad-dwa-razy-wiecej-wody-niz-rok-temu-ale-wciaz-sa-wypelnione-tylko-w-384/

In 2022, however, there were almost twice as many

A better result than last year does not mean a return to high levels.

At the beginning of September 2022, the reservoirs were filled to approximately 76%, and accumulated reserves exceeded 219 million m³. The current level of 39.3% is therefore still approximately half that.

This is an important context, because comparing only with the exceptionally weak year 2025 may give an overly optimistic picture.

Four tanks above 85%, four below 35%

The average of 39.3% itself also says little about the situation in individual parts of the island.

The differences are huge: Kalopanayiotis has 100% and Achna only 1%.

Largest reservoir still below 40%

It is particularly important Kouris, the largest reservoir in the Republic of Cyprus, with a capacity of approximately 115 million m³. At the beginning of September, it was only 39% full.

This is why a high percentage of small reservoirs should not be interpreted as a solution to the country's water problem. The small Kalopanayiotis may have 100% capacity, but its significance for the water balance is incomparable to that of the Kouris.

Summer took away about 7 million m³

From the beginning of June to the beginning of September, the stock decreased by approximately 7 million m³.

This is the normal trend for the hottest months: water is used up and high temperatures increase evaporative losses.

Even the August rainfall didn't significantly change the situation. After heavier rains on August 18-19, approximately 140,000 m³ of water was released into the reservoirs, including approximately 118,000 m³ to the Kouris River. However, the Water Development Department emphasized at the time that this was too small an inflow to warrant changes to the current water management plan.

More water, but the problem hasn't gone away

39.3% looks much better than last year's 15.5%, but it does not mean Cyprus can stop worrying about resources.

The country is simultaneously increasing water production from desalination, using reclaimed water for irrigation, and planning further desalination plants. The Water Development Department identifies these sources as key elements of a system designed to reduce the country's dependence on rainfall.

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The four new desalination plants are expected to supply another 180,000 m³ of water per day:
https://cyprnews.pl/cztery-nowe-odsalarnie-na-cyprze-180-tys-m%C2%B3-wody-dziennie/

The next rainy season will now be the most important. Fall and winter rainfall will determine the level of reserves Cyprus will have by the summer of 2027.

Source: Water Development Department, KYPE/CNA, Government of Cyprus