In Cyprus, drinking water has now become so desperately scarce that, during the summer of 2008, it had to be shipped to the island in large tankers. Now, Danish know-how and expertise has come to the aid of drought-stricken Cyprus. Grontmij's 42 months' project, to be carried out for the EU, demonstrates how broad an approach is needed in order to establish real sustainability.

Using water with care
"The task is simply to reduce water consumption by more efficient use," says Jørgen Bygvraa Hansen, Grontmij in Denmark Team Manager. He continues: "Solving the problem is not a question of inventing new technological solutions; it is about combining those already known. And, also, it is about setting up a framework for the initiative to regulate and motivate a changed behaviour among the inhabitants. We must show how consideration can ensure quality of life – long-term as well as short-term."

The framework is constituted by EU legislation, with Grontmij in Denmark facilitating the most efficient implementation on the basis of precisely the conditions in Northern Cyprus. Thus, it is necessary to establish a local regulation ensuring drip irrigation rather than crop spraying in order to avoid vaporisation in the hot climate.

Another example could be the water supply lines. Today a considerable part of the valuable drinking water is wasted due to leaking pipes. Financial incitement would be a most efficient means to achieve the goal – sustainable exploitation of the water resources. But more importantly, perhaps, is the establishment, in the entire population, of an understanding of the importance of using water with care. Therefore, the message is communicated directly, to e.g. the farmers, as well as generally through the media.

The problems in Northern Cyprus may indeed be extreme, but far from unique, however. Grontmij in Denmark has already solved similar tasks focused on the implementation of EU's environmental requirements in various countries; and, in the entire Mediterranean area where climate changes has put the freshwater reserves under pressure.

The project is carried out in cooperation between Grontmij in Denmark and Grontmij in the Netherlands, and it runs parallel to a similar project on waste handling.