Type of problem:
Groundwater overexploitation for irrigation purposes; highest WEI+ in Europe.
Specific challenges:
Seawater intrusion; nitrate pollution of groundwater from intense agricultural practices.
Solutions proposed:
MAR feasibility mapping at national scale for the entire Republic of Cyprus, numerical modelling for validation at local scale at two coastal aquifers: Akrotiri aquifer (tertiary treated wastewater infiltrated in existing ponds and stored and in the aquifer for irrigation) and Yermasoyeia aquifer (surface dam to retain flash flood waters and agricultural surpluses for ecologic purposes)
AGREEMAR expected impacts:
Increased availability of recovered water for irrigation; improved groundwater quality.