Water resources management in Cyprus under drought conditions

Water resources in small island states are limited in quantity, and in the case of Cyprus there are no exogenous sources to augment the supply. Pipe water transfer from neighbouring countries through the sea is both expensive and politically unsafe. The problem of scarcity is further compounded by the fact that precipitation is low and highly variable. In the last few years the rainfall was less than expected and followed an alarming trend downwards resulting in acute water shortages; consequently, since January 1997 restrictions in supply to both the agriculture and domestic sectors were put into effect. Emergency water resources management and drought mitigation measures were introduced throughout the island.