Constantinos Yiorkadjis proposes a single water management authority in Cyprus

Constantinos Yiorkadjis, president of the Nicosia District Self-Government Organization, has publicly proposed the creation of a single national water management authority in Cyprus. He argues that this body must possess full administrative, financial, and operational independence to effectively oversee the country's water balance. The proposed authority would coordinate all existing agencies and integrate critical infrastructure, including dams, desalination plants, water supply networks, and recycled water systems. Additionally, it would oversee aquifer protection, rainwater management, and the implementation of a social tariff policy to protect vulnerable groups while discouraging waste. Yiorkadjis suggests separating the production of water from its overarching management to improve transparency and decision-making accountability. He notes that 15 European Union member states, including Greece, have already adopted similar regulatory models. He concludes that Cyprus possesses the necessary technical expertise, infrastructure, and human resources to implement this institutional change.