Layout 1

The report examines the water crisis in North Cyprus, driven by climate change and poor management, and evaluates the 'Project of the Century'—a pipeline transporting water from Turkey's Toros Mountains to North Cyprus. It highlights the risks of over-reliance on Turkey, the failure of current decentralized water management, and the lack of coordination between the island's divided administrations. The authors recommend transitioning to a centralized, transparent governance model based on OECD principles, diversifying water sources through renewable-energy-powered desalination, and fostering bi-communal cooperation to ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

• North Cyprus faces severe water scarcity caused by both climate change and systemic mismanagement. Annual water demand (105-110 Mm3) exceeds available resources (90 Mm3), with 90% of resources coming from groundwater. This has led to the salinization of coastal aquifers in Girne, Mağusa, and Güzelyurt due to over-extraction.
• The Turkey-North Cyprus water supply project involves an 80 km undersea pipeline transporting water from the Alaköprü dam on the Anamur River to the Geçitköy dam in North Cyprus. It is expected to transfer 75 Mm3 of water annually. However, the project was implemented without a long-term management plan from the North Cypriot administration.
• Current water management in North Cyprus is described as fragmented, ad hoc, and overly decentralized, with municipalities handling licensing and distribution. This lack of central oversight has led to inefficient use, political interference in water allocation, and a failure to implement long-term strategic planning.
• The European Union's approach to water management in North Cyprus is constrained by its recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as the sole sovereign authority. This has led to a reluctance to help establish formal state-like environmental institutions in the north, contributing to governance gaps.
• There is significant concern among North Cypriot critics that the water pipeline creates a permanent 'umbilical cord' dependency on Turkey. Additionally, some view the project as a potential political weapon against the Greek Cypriots, while others worry about the lack of transparency in the privatization of water management.
• The report recommends adopting OECD Water Governance Principles to reform the sector, focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, and trust. Specific proposals include centralizing water management, establishing an autonomous regulatory board independent of ministries, and diversifying sources through desalination powered by renewable energy.

APA

Mason, M., & Bryant, R. (n.d.). Layout 1. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/632234c1-210a-4e70-b97d-55066334ffe3/TRK Water technology and sustainability in north Cyprus.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Mason, Michael, and Rebecca Bryant. Layout 1. Peace Research Institute Oslo, n.d. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/632234c1-210a-4e70-b97d-55066334ffe3/TRK Water technology and sustainability in north Cyprus.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mason |first1=Michael |last2=Bryant |first2=Rebecca |title=Layout 1 |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/632234c1-210a-4e70-b97d-55066334ffe3/TRK Water technology and sustainability in north Cyprus.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{masonndlayout, author = {Mason, Michael and Bryant, Rebecca}, title = {{Layout 1}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/632234c1-210a-4e70-b97d-55066334ffe3/TRK Water technology and sustainability in north Cyprus.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }