Cyprus 'Will Never Be Thirsty Again' - Env. Minister

Construction of a desalination plant in Kouklia, Paphos, is proceeding on schedule and will be finished by April 2010, said Environment Minister Michalis Polynikis.

"Cyprus will never be thirsty again," he said in a speech in Paphos today, adding that "under no circumstances will we face again a situation like last year when the dams virtually dried up."

The plant in Kouklia will supply water to Pissouri via a pipe measuring 17.5 km, and the minister predicts that Cyprus will soon be less dependent on annual rainfall for water supplies, according to a report by the Cyprus News Agency.

Recent temperatures have increased water consumption on the island, with temperatures reaching 42 degree Celsius inland due to a seasonal low pressure front combined with a hot aerial mass from Africa.