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All water restrictions were lifted from yesterday following the wettest January for six years.
 

Dams across the island are almost 50% full and work on the desalination plants is ahead of schedule.

Last time we had so much rain in January was back in 2004, the rain in January this year was three times the amount of last year’s rainfall in January and 16 times the amount for January 2008.

Agriculture Minister, Michalis Polynikis said: "I am pleased to announce that we are close to resolving this lingering problem, particularly as a result of the desalination plants and recent rainfall."

Nicos Nicodemou, Deputy Director at the Water Development Board confirmed the cuts will be lifted from Tuesday. "We have decided that from Tuesday we will lift the cuts permanently,” he said.
 

He said that with the near completion of a fifth desalination plant near Paphos, Cyprus should have enough water to last until the end of 2011.

Next year the Electricity Authority of Cyprus will complete a desalination plant in Akrotiri, near Limassol.

Nicos Zambakides, Head of the Nicosia Water Board, said: "The government has made the right decision, as long as the customers recognise that they need to conserve water. Our plea to customers is to save as much as possible."