Deep In Drought And Overbuilt, Cyprus Will Import Water From Lebanon To Avoid Use Restrictions - AFP

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The drought-hit Mediterranean island of Cyprus will seek to import water from Lebanon rather have to impose usage restrictions, the agriculture ministure said on Friday. "One key measure we are looking at is the transportation of water in tankers from a neighbouring country, and our efforts are focusing on Lebanon," Michalis Polynikis told reporters after holding a crisis meeting on Friday.

He said experts are now examining the feasibility of shipping large quantities of water by tanker from Lebanon, with a final decision expected within 10 days.

Polynikis said Lebanon is willing to give Cyprus large quantities of water free of charge, so the only cost would be transportation. There is also the logistics of getting the water from the ports to a reservoir once it arrives by ship.

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Although opposed to water cuts, Polynikis said a quota system on consumption would "send the message to ordinary people that they must conserve water". A regime of on-the-spot fines for water wasters seems to have failed to raise awareness over the island's dwindling water resources.

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http://www.terradaily.com/2007/080307133306.8iwuvbsk.html