The government is introducing legislation to regulate the safe reuse of recovered water, bringing Cyprus into line with EU standards and introducing penalties of up to €20,000 for violations.
The Unified Water Management (Amendment) Law aligns with EU Regulation 2020/741 and establishes a licensing framework governing how recovered water can be distributed and used. The legislation also replaces the term “recycled water” with “recovered water” to more accurately reflect the treatment and recovery process involved.
Under the new law, management responsibilities pass from Sewerage Boards to District Local Government Organisations (DLGOs), shifting oversight to a more decentralised, local level.
A new authorisation process requires licences, conditions, and controls for the distribution of recovered water. Approvals are granted subject to obligations on users regarding water quality, the types of crops irrigated — in accordance with the Code of Good Agricultural Practice KDP 282/2023 — and the irrigation methods used.
Violations carry fines of up to €20,000 and prison sentences of up to 12 months. Specific offences include using recovered water without authorisation, irrigating unapproved crops, and failing to comply with irrigation rules.
An out-of-court settlement mechanism allows the director to impose administrative fines ranging from €1,000 to €10,000. Where fines are paid promptly, no criminal prosecution follows.
Treated water from wastewater treatment plants will be managed by the director of the Water Development Department and distributed based on regulations and user applications.
Users such as farmers must apply annually, declaring the fields and crops for which they are committing to the rules governing recovered water use.
The legislation lists the following benefits of the amendments:
- Better protection of public health and the environment
- Stricter controls on where and how recovered water is used
- Faster enforcement of compliance
- Clearer rules for users, including farmers, on what crops may be irrigated and what penalties apply for violations
- Prevention of dangerous use on unsuitable crops
- More effective water utilisation and promotion of wastewater reuse
- Reduced pressure on natural water reserves
- Out-of-court enforcement to address violations directly without burdening the courts
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