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repulsewarrior
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Urinals use as much water as seven people every day
By Anna Hassapi
MEN’S URINALS consume as much water over a 24 hours period as seven people, and should be replaced with more efficient systems, Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou said yesterday.
Theopemptou said regular systems, widely used in restaurants, gyms, hotels, state buildings, cinemas, and elsewhere consist of a small flush, holding between six and ten litres of water, which needs about ten minutes to fill with water. As soon as it is filled, a valve automatically opens and lets the water run in the men’s urinals to flush. This system is popular because it doesn’t need electricity or a lot of maintenance, but it consumes excessive amounts of water.
“If we assume that each six litre system, gives out six litres of water, six times per hour, 24 hours per day, that means that each one consumes 864 litres of water per day, 365 days a year. Based on Water Board information, each Nicosia resident consumes about 128 litres of water. So each of these small systems consumes potable water, equal to the needs of about seven people,” Theopemptou said.
He suggested that all establishments using regular urinals switch to alternative mechanisms like ‘waterless’ technology and other solutions including an automated electronic system that gives out water only after each use, or a manual system where a lever is used.
“With these simple measures on reducing consumption we will seriously save water, with more profit for the establishment’s owner from his reduced water bills, and also the cost to the state,” Theopemptou said.
“There are many water-free systems and some have already been installed in Cyprus. The oldest versions get rid of smells through a trap filled with a special liquid that is easily replaced every three months, or by smart design at the bottom part of the system. There are many different technologies on the market and a wide choice,” he said.
In Brisbane, Australia the law obliges the use of one of the three alternative systems, whereas in Cyprus the Council of Minister decided that by the end of 2009 all establishments should replace the simple mechanism, with an alternative system.
“It is about time to prohibit the use of the simple systems in men’s urinals, giving everyone a deadline of one year to make the necessary changes,” Theopemptou said.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
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Dramatic effects in the region due to climate change
A TWO-DAY meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean started in Limassol yesterday to address the issues of disaster management and the environment and climate change.
“The Mediterranean region is one of the most unstable areas and is expected to be dramatically affected by increasing temperatures and the rise of sea level,” said Marios Garoyian, House President in his opening speech to the meeting.
“It is difficult to predict the consequences as well as the degree of its impact on the economy, while limited resources, including water and food may become a destabilizing factor and lead to conflict or exacerbate phenomena such as hunger, disease, immigration, peripheral policy and social instability,” Garoyian added.
The Mediterranean is expected to face environmental crises, which will require concerted management and policy. “Climate change and natural disasters are the two most serious crises faced by humanity today and citizens are demanding that we show the necessary political will to face this threat in a concerted way,” said DISY President Nicos Anastassiades in his welcome speech.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, (PAM) was established with the aim of bringing together all the Mediterranean countries on an equal footing under a unique forum, to examine questions and take decisions on issues of direct interest to the region. Its General Secretariat is headquartered in Malta.
Member States include Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
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Forced landings due to weather
FOUR commercial planes heading to Israel had to divert to Larnaca due to extreme weather conditions in Tel Aviv on Thursday afternoon. Three El Al Airlines and one Austrian Airlines aircraft landed in Larnaca. The planes were flying to Tel Aviv from Prague, Rome, Moscow and Vienna, but due to a sand storm over Tel Aviv were forced to land in Larnaca for safety reasons. The weather, however, improved within an hour and the planes made their way back to Israel with just a minor delay.
“There were storms and a sandstorm at Tel Aviv at the time, so the planes landed in Cyprus for preventative reasons, to check if the weather would get worse. Perhaps they feared it would develop into a tornado,” explained Dr. Leonidas Leonidou, Director of Civil Aviation.
The passengers of the four planes were allowed inside Larnaca Airport, to wait until the weather improved. “The problem, however, did not last. There was no extreme weather phenomenon. So the passengers had a drink and went back into their planes to go to Israel,” Leonidou said.
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repulsewarrior
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Water authority defends new borehole subsidies
By Anna Hassapi
THE WATER Development Department yesterday defended its decision to increase subsidies for drilling boreholes despite the drought, arguing that using borehole water to supply gardens, swimming pools and toilets saved valuable drinking water.
Paradoxically, however, the Department confirmed that the drying up of underground water reserves and the dangerous infiltration of sea water remained a grave reality in Cyprus and that the problem was exacerbated by boreholes.
“No, the situation with the depletion of underground water reserves has not improved. However, the underground water in urban Nicosia, for example, is contaminated and could not be used for other purposes. So we are using this water for gardens and toilets and thus saving drinking water, which is more expensive, from being used for such purposes,” Kyriakos Kyrou Senior Water Board Plumbing Mechanic told the Cyprus Mail.
The scheme for the state funding for boreholes does not apply to Nicosia only, but to all areas within the Department’s jurisdiction. “Urban centres in general do not have large underground reserves. Such big reserves only exist in Morphou, Akrotiri and the Kokkinohoria,” Kyrou said.
In addition, critics point out that there are alternative methods of supplying gardens and toilets without using potable water.
One such method is ‘grey water recycling’, a system which is also subsidised by the Department. “This water recycling system is basically a mechanism which receives water from basins, showers and the kitchen other than toilet water, and converts it to a good condition where it can be used in the garden, or can be even returned to the toilet,” Kyrou said.
Such systems, however are usually expensive and as Kyrou confirmed, cost between €5,000 and €10,000. A subsidy of €3,000 is available for this system, and in the case of a block of flats the subsidy can reach €7,000.
Kyrou defended its encouragement of more household boreholes on the grounds that such small-scale infrastructures did not pump large amounts of water, and were therefore not straining underground reserves to the degree that other boreholes do.
“I believe that the criticism is directed at the large boreholes and not the small household boreholes. Such units can only pump one or two tonnes of water per day,” Kyrou said.
Contrary to what reason may dictate, licences to drill boreholes are given every year and a large number of new boreholes were dug in 2008, which was a year marked by an acute water crisis causing hardship and inconvenience for those who could not afford their own borehole. In 2008 the drilling of 914 new boreholes was approved by authorities, while in 2007 a total of 906 new boreholes were approved.
These numbers, however, are not representative of the number of boreholes operating on the island, as many illegal and uncontrolled boreholes are allowed to operate without any consequences.
As these units are illegal, authorities cannot check the amount of water they pump. “There are presently many thousands of illegal boreholes operating in Cyprus and admittedly no effort has been made yet to control them. EU legislation obliges us to close them and one day we must face this problem. Perhaps in three, four or five years we will,” Kyrou said.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
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Council Dithers as precious water runs out
By Patrick Dewhurst
OROKLINI COUNCIL have let thousands of litres of water go to waste by failing to fix a leak on Agiou Savva Street for the past week.
Despite numerous reports by residents that water was leaking out of a crack in the pavement and running off into a nearby field, they have not fixed the leak or told residents when this will be done.
One local resident, Michael Jarvis, said yesterday "The leak was first reported on Sunday the 6th September. It was reported again on Monday morning when the office was open. On Wednesday, two local Cypriot residents and I reported it. It has now stopped because it is we have a restricted supply on Saturdays, but as soon as it comes back on I am sure the leakage will continue."
Jarvis estimated that thousands of litres must have been lost by now. "It was coming out at the rate of a hose pipe turned on full." The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA) estimates that hosepipes use up to 18 litres per minute. At this rate, over 125,000 litres could have been wasted in five days of leakage.
Jarvis added that a leak had sprung earlier in the year, only five yards from the current site. "It took three or four days for them to come and fix it last time. Is there or is there not a water shortage?"
The most recent leakage statistics available are for 2006. In his Annual Report, the Auditor General said that Nicosia lost 20 per cent of its water supply through leakages in the distribution system that year. They lost 3.7 million cubic metres at a cost €2.9 million.
Larnaca lost 28 per cent of its supply through leaks, (€1.2m), Limassol 17 per cent (€1.7m), while Paphos lost up to 35 per cent between 1999 and 2005 (€3.5m). Frenaros had the worst record with almost half its water supply, 46 per cent, lost through leakages. For 2005, Yermasoya lost 40 per cent of its water to leaks and Ayia Napa 35 per cent.
Oroklini council were unavailable for comment yesterday.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
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More bad weather on the horizon
By Jacqueline Agathocleous
THE NICOSIA and Larnaca districts were lashed by more hailstorms, rainfall and high winds yesterday, in a second day of dramatic weather, with poor conditions forecast for today.
Storms rushed in from the north-west from noon onwards, with a small tornado forming in the Koshi area, though no serious damage or injuries were recorded.
The whirlwind crossed over the Nicosia-Larnaca highway and headed towards the village Avdelero, but veered off.
The mountain areas of Kampos and Pyrgos were also affected, with powerful hailstorms accounting for several accidents. By the afternoon, there were landslides on a number of mountain roads in Nicosia and Larnaca Districts, leading to temporary closure and a police warning to motorists about the dangerous driving conditions in those areas.
Early yesterday afternoon storms knocked out the electricity supply in the Lakatamia area; Aglandjia residents had also spent a night in the dark but power was restored early yesterday morning.
Earlier in the day, police warned of extreme weather conditions, centring in Nicosia, starting from noon and ending at around 6pm. Their announcement didn’t exclude the possibility of a similar outcome to the day before, where a sizeable tornado ripped parts of Nicosia to pieces.
Police urged civilians to avoid leaving their homes without good reason. The public was also warned not to stand next to windows or glass panes if a tornado was to form, as most injuries on Friday were from glass succumbing to the swift variations in air pressure.
The Meteorological Services announced that similar conditions would continue until tomorrow.
President Demetris Christofias said his thoughts were with the people who were affected by the tornado. He congratulated the state services and Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis for their speedy reaction to the public’s pleas for help.
Speaking at Larnaca Airport before departing for London, Christofias added, “We wish we never had to experience such phenomena, which are rare,” he said. “Such phenomena happen but this tornado was aggressive and catastrophic.
“I would like to send my warmest wishes to the people that have been affected, congratulate the Interior Minister and all the services, the District Officer for their immediate reaction and I would like to stress that I expect efforts to help those affected is seen through.”
Speaking to the CyBC yesterday, Sylikiotis said local authorities continued to clear the debris yesterday, while recording the damages. He said the authorities would most likely continue to work throughout today as well.
“Instructions have already been given to local authorities to record the establishments that have been affected,” he explained. “But the official count of damages will start on Monday, so we can move ahead with our plan to support all those affected.”
He said there may be an issue with compensating those whose cars, businesses and houses are already insured. “We need to examine all the dimensions. We need to look at the social criteria and support those who need it the most.”
But Sylikiotis said there were funds in the budget. “If we need more money, we will propose it to the Cabinet. But we can’t give details now; we will have a full view from Monday onwards.”
He warned that it would take weeks even months to complete the compensations procedure.
To report damages, civilians should call local authorities, their District Office and Civil Defence, which all were operating yesterday and are expected to continue today.
Meanwhile, a police officer was run over on Friday afternoon on Limassol Avenue in Aglandjia – one of the worst-hit areas – as he attempted to direct traffic.
He was in the process of crossing the road, when he was hit by a motorist, who then fled the scene.
The injured policeman continued his duty, until returning to his Department he felt lower back pains and was taken to Nicosia General Hospital for treatment. He was signed off work for three days.
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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
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Six per cent EU of carbon emissions from Cyprus
CYPRUS accounts for six per cent of carbon dioxide emissions in the European Union, despite representing only 0.16 per cent of the bloc’s total population, the Green Party said yesterday.
Ioanna Panayiotou, Secretary-general of the Greens, said that from 1990 – 2006 Cyprus had increased the emission of carbon dioxide by 2.8 tonnes per resident, making it first in the EU. Spain is second with a 2.5 tonne increase per resident, Portugal third at two tonness and Greece and Malta share fourth place with a 1.7 tonne increase per resident.
The latest statistics from the UN Committee for climate change said that Cyprus has increased CO2 emissions in the sector of electricity production by 128 per cent whilst the EU average in the sector is a 64 per cent reduction in the emission of pollutants.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
...included in this topic because it demonstrates the need for improved efficiency, conservation, and awareness. Desalination plants, the choice of governmental authorities for making potable water consume vast amounts of electricity, leaving a toxic sludge which affects the sea's ph levels around the island when the waste is "returned" to it. |
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repulsewarrior
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‘Stay indoors from the dust’
By Stefanos Evripidou
VULNERABLE GROUPS in society, like children, the elderly and pregnant women are being warned to stay indoors due to extremely high dust levels in the atmosphere.
An official from the Labour Inspection Department yesterday said the high levels of very small dust particles brought on from North Africa could cause problems and discomfort to these groups or others with breathing problems like asthma sufferers.
The Labour Ministry official, Savvas Cleanthous, said dust levels on Sunday were double the usual, while yesterday’s levels were estimated to reach three times the normal limit, hitting between 134 and 170 microgrammes per cubic metre.
The current levels will likely remain in the atmosphere in the coming days. “Asthma sufferers, children, pregnant women, the elderly, should not travel around without reason in the countryside, and where possible they should close their windows to stop dust coming into their houses,” said Cleanthous.
“Studies show that the smaller the dust, the more dangerous it is, because it gets in the lungs easier,” he said, noting that the effect this had depended on the health of each individual.
Meteorological Service official, Philipos Tymvios, said the dust phenomenon was brought from Africa and would likely affect Cyprus for a week, despite forecasting small, local showers for today. As a result, temperatures are also higher, reaching around 28 to 30 degrees Celsius inland, higher than the 25 degrees average for this time of year. Tymvios said he expected a drop in temperature by the end of the week, while dust levels should improve by next Monday.
The Labour Ministry called on workers who operate in open spaces to use the appropriate personal protection against the dust. More information can be found at the ministry website at www.airquality.dli.msli.gov.cy.
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repulsewarrior
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‘Everyone’s got big words but we want action’
By Sebastian Heller
ROADS had turned into rivers with torrents up to 40cm high washing away cars and debris and sending residents in flood-hit villages to the upper stories of their homes.
Yesterday it was time to clean up.
The strong rainfall in a short, concentrated time period produced torrents up to 40cm high, which had shifted enough debris to block the central storm drain for the area in Pera Chorio. This blockage meant that the drain could not perform the task it was designed for and flooding of roads, houses and business premises resulted.
Residents said they had seen fridges, mattresses and couches blocking the central storm drain, and the mukhtar’s office in Nissou confirmed that these larger items were likely the biggest factor in causing the blockage to the pipeline on the day of the downpour.
Three days after torrential rains hit the island on Tuesday, a clear picture is beginning to emerge as to why flooding occurred in the area of Pera Chorio and Nissou. Also caught in the floods were the nearby villages of Alambra and Ayia Varvara.
“We had already noticed the problem of designated rubbish disposal areas.” said Poppy Costantinou, secretary to the Municipality in Alambra “And on a visit here two months or so ago by Minister for Communications and Works Mr Nicolaides, several areas had been designated for this purpose. But we did not manage to do them yet. The rains beat us to it.”
The torrents generated by the flood waters were so strong that they picked up cars parked near the bridge underpass on the approach to Alambra and carried them almost 200 meters to the entrance to the village. Outdoor furniture, gas bottles, building materials and, of course, the larger items such as sofas were all borne along by the flood waters.
“The lower floor was partially flooded, with some damage to walls and furnishings. No compensation has been offered yet.” said Loucas who had damage to his Alambra house typical of that reported by residents in the area who were affected. “We were working all night Tuesday, all day yesterday and since the morning today [Thursday].” commented Panayiotis who runs a satellite supply store in Ayia Varvara. “We cleaned the damage done ourselves, and had several transistors and other electrical devices destroyed by the rising waters. Who knows how much compensation they’ll offer though and, more importantly, when…”
In the Pera Chorio Nissou area there were four or five serious cases of flood damage where the houses in question were completely destroyed in terms of furnishings and interior rooms and a further 25-30 dwellings experienced “various damages”.
The general agreement amongst the municipal staff working in the areas affected by the flooding was that the central government’s response to the crisis was exemplary. “I wish to thank Mr Neoclis Sylikiotis personally for his immediate and perfect response and his excellent cooperation.” said Yiannakis Georgiou, Muktar of Nissou. Teams composed of men from the local municipalities, the civil defence force, the police and the fire brigade worked until 2:30am on Tuesday to clear the drains and continued through Wednesday and Thursday to clear mud from the streets and get clogged drains and pipelines in good working order again.
Some of the residents whose houses were damaged in the flooding were put up in hotels paid for by the state until the worst of it is over. Others stayed behind to clear and drain their own premises and try to get everything clean and livable once more. One such family, who were emptying their house of mud-covered clothes and furniture, when asked what the governmental response to the flooding had been, commented “Nobody has come to help us. We are left cleaning up the whole mess ourselves.”
“Only the minister came down” said Ellada Antoniou referring to Sylikiotis “To show his face on TV and say stupidities. Everybody’s got big words though, we want to see some action…”
Andreas Georgiou, secretary to the municipality of Ayia Varvara, said that he has been told that €500,000 had had been set aside for compensation in this instance, more if necessary. As regards when they will be distributed, that is still under discussion,
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repulsewarrior
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‘We are haunted by crimes of the past’
By Anna Hassapi
LIMASSOL Mayor Andreas Christou yesterday blamed both the private sector and the state for the inadequate infrastructure that worsened the damaged caused by this week’s heavy rains.
“We are haunted by crimes of the past - not just those of private stakeholders but also of the state itself,” said Christou.
The mayor said any initiatives taken so far at boosting infrastructure were simply not adequate. “Investments in drainage systems of over €50 million have been done, pipes have been cleared and old sewers have been replaced, but this quantity of water cannot be absorbed,” he said.
“We have had problems in the usual three or four areas of town where the necessary drainage systems have not been constructed,”
Limassol’s western areas of Zakaki, Omonoia, Polemidia, Ekali, and the Tsirion area were devastated by the heavy rain that fell on Thursday afternoon. At Tsirion two women were at risk as they were close to being swept away by the water. An electricity blackout meant that a whole block at Tsirion, including houses, afternoon schools, restaurants and shops, and a segment of Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue were left without electricity for hours.
The Limassol seafront road, the Ayia Fyla roundabout and the Medieval Castle area were practically inaccessible to cars for hours. Meanwhile traffic chaos reigned throughout the town, aggravated by the fact that nine traffic lights at central junctions went out.
The Limassol Fire Service received over 200 telephone calls to provide assistance to drivers trapped in their cars, flooded basements and shops filled with water at the town’s centre. “The pumping of water from establishments and roads continued until 2am,” said Andreas Nikolaou, Limassol Fire Service Director.
Clean-up crews yesterday morning faced the daunting task of cleaning up debris and mud, but by early afternoon the skies opened up again. Three District Office crews yesterday visited areas where damage was caused and will evaluate applications for compensation. Members of the public can apply for compensation by calling the District Office. Until yesterday it had received 35 calls related to water damage in private homes, five from shops and 12 for damaged cars.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
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Free trees to help the island
By Sebastian Heller
THE FORESTRY Department is giving away free saplings to private landowners in an effort to encourage micromanaged forested areas.
The initiative is being made now because of the surplus rainfall over this year’s planting and maturation season which will ensure the easy survival of planted stock.
A large variety of tree species are being made available, including but not limited to: pines, oak, cypress, cedar, wild carob, eucalyptus, acacia and laurel. According to Andreas Christou of the Forestry Department approximately 35,000 saplings are being made available across the whole of Cyprus.
The number of saplings available per applicant will depend on the level of interest shown by the public and the number of plants the Forestry Department has available.
Saplings may also be obtained by formal application to the department. Priority will be given to private landowners with land near main roads, in or near urbanised areas or where fires have previously occurred.
“These are not the only criteria.” said Christou “It just means that if, for example, the land is near to main roads then it is easier to give the plants.”
Managed forestry is one of the major uses to which large holdings of private land are put in America, Scandinavia and New Zealand especially. Whilst not offering quick returns, it does produce a steady income yield over many years. Furthermore there are incidental social benefits, both for leisure pursuits and also for the water cycle.
It is widely agreed that healthy tree coverage alters the water cycle and produces greater rainfall. In Cyprus, there is the bonus that the root structure on hills and open land ensures that topsoil is not washed away, as has occurred in the recent flooding, and which results in more fertilisers being needed in subsequent years.
This binding effect is also complemented by an increased water absorption rate of land planted with forest cover as compared to land without such cover; which would contribute to drainage systems not being overloaded.
According to archaeological and historical records, before the period of Roman rule (which lasted from 58BC up until 13AD), Cyprus was quite heavily forested. Indeed, the most famous tourist resort on the island, Ayia Napa, derives its name from a holy wood which was once to be found in the area.
The aesthetic and scent benefits of increased tree coverage and the cooling effect produced in summer are both advantages which were lost to the Cypriot climate at that time but which may be regained by extensive reforestation. The current initiative by the Forestry Department is a major first step in that direction, given that a large portion of forest coverage in temperate climates is privately owned.
Christou noted that this was not the only Forestry Department initiative to encourage reforestation by the private sector.
“For the private sector, we have the programme of rural development which includes measures that help farms to install forest plantations on their land.” he said. In terms of the state sector, reforestation is a priority in areas where there has been damage by fire “Anywhere where there’s been a fire we proceed directly to reforestation, if it is necessary. In some areas it occurs naturally.”
Even in areas where forestation is problematic, it remains possible.
“Amiantos [the former mine in the Troodos] is a hostile environment to reforestation. So we carried out some works to the area first before planting, such as carrying soil to the area,” said Christou. Commenting on the benefits of forested areas to the prevention of flooding, Christou continued “In state forests, we always try to put in place measures to prevent flooding, such as constant vegetation on slopes.”
n Private landowners interested in the scheme should apply to the Forestry Department by November 30, 2009. Application forms may be obtained from the local offices of the Forestry Department or via their website at www.moa.gov.cy/forest.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
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Climate conference explores impacts on Cyprus and Greece
By Anna Hassapi
A CLIMATE change conference held in Crete saw Greek and Cypriot experts and stakeholders take stock of the current crisis, assess possible impacts in Cyprus and Greece, and present ways of handling the potentially disastrous man-made phenomenon.
Titled ‘Climate Change- the European dimension: Energy Challenges, the Impacts in Greece and Cyprus’, the conference was jointly organised by the Cyprus and Greece offices of the European Parliament.
One of the main concerns for Cyprus is the impending desertification of the island. “The desertification map was charted, taking into consideration the quality of the ground, the climate, the vegetation and management quality. The map does not show any areas in Cyprus that are not threatened.
“Only highly intrusive policies will accomplish substantial aversion of desertification, but very little has been done so far,” explained Antonia Theodosiou Environmental Engineer and Member of the Council of Cypriot Citizens’ Energy Office.
Cyprus also maintains one of the worst track records in CO2 emissions; in 2008 Cyprus paid €20 million in fines to the EU for the excessive emissions the country produced, while the amount was reduced to €15 million in 2009 as Cyprus bought pollution rights based on an international credit system.
In his presentation at the conference Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou offered a series of practical measures that should be adopted in Cyprus as part of a comprehensive plan against climate change.
“We must achieve more efficient use of energy, place more emphasis on renewable energy sources: photovoltaics, wind generators and biomass. Emission reduction can also be achieved by the adoption by the public of green modes of transport such as the bicycle or ‘park and ride’,” Theopemptou said.
Meanwhile, in light of the upcoming Copenhagen Convention that is expected to deliver a global agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, Green NGOs presented their proposal and expectations from Copenhagen. Greenpeace Greece speaker Demetris Ibrahim noted that expectations are pessimistic as global leaders are not presenting the political will necessary to come to a substantial agreement.
“Greenpeace’s proposal for Copenhagen is emission reduction by 40 per cent by 2020 and 95 per cent by 2050; action plan for zero carbon; financial support of €115 billion per year to developing countries; and a strict compliance regime,” Ibrahim said.
“The ingredients of a good agreement include a balance between development and respect of the rights and protection of poorer countries; the West addressing its historic duty; and the inclusion of measurable ambitious actions and aims,” he added.
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repulsewarrior
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NICOSIA – After three years of studies, the Israeli company "SDE" has announced that it is in final consultations with Cypriot and foreign companies to form a consortium to produce electricity from wave power.
SDE is planning to locate the technology to produce the energy in the Larnaca Marina breakwater.
http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/main/92,1,283,0,4758-.aspx |
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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
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Water reserves at 51%
February 9th, 2010
Nearly 11 million cubic metres of water have flowed into dams in Cyprus since the beginning of February raising the water reserves to 51%.
Water reserves during February 2009 were only at 12% capacity.
Water Board official Fedros Rousis said that on Monday alone nearly 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in dams around the island.
He added that water levels at present were satisfactory but called on the public to still be sparing with water so as to avoid any problems in the near future.
Source: Cyprus Weekly |
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city
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Joined: 15 Aug 2005
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Location: Larnaca area
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All water cuts have been cancelled. Since Tuesday mains supply should be uninterrupted.
Lets see where this leads....
Experience shows that after a water rationing is stopped, usage spirales beyond pre-cut levels.  |
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