Cyprus Cuts Water Deliveries By 1/3; Israel Facing Severe Water Shortage - AFP

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The drought-hit Mediterranean island of Cyprus faced water cuts on Monday after the government decided to decrease supply to local authorities by a third to tackle the shortage.

Although a crisis meeting chaired by President Demetris Christofias stopped short of announcing household cuts, the reduction in supply to water boards and local authorities make that a likely outcome. "To address the drastic situation, there will be a 30 percent reduction in supply to water boards and local authorities," government spokesman Stephanos Stephanou told reporters after the meeting.

"The reduction is a necessary measure so we can cover the needs of our citizens. How this reduction is managed is up to the local authorities themselves," he said.

The island needs around 66.7 million cubic metres of water a year. Reserves now stand at 50 million cubic metres, the spokesman said.

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Israel's water authority was set to impose restrictions on household water consumption as the country grapples with one of the most severe water shortages in years, an official said on Monday. "The situation is bad, it is very bad. There is an acute water shortage in the country," water authority spokesman Uri Shor said.

With the rain quantities for this year's winter standing at 50 to 60 percent of the annual average, Israel's reservoirs today stand at a 10-year low, according to official figures.

And a string of four dry winters has brought the country's main water source, the Sea of Galilee, to its lowest level in 46 years.

The country's groundwater, including the western aquifer which it shares with the Palestinians, is also at a dangerously low level and the quality of its water is worsening.

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http://www.terradaily.com/2007/080324130239.8mru5ttu.html