The Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (DLGO) is replacing 72,000 conventional water meters across the district with smart devices by the end of 2027, under a contract signed with the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta), the organisation’s president announced.
Nicosia district has more than 200,000 water meters in operation, of which 72,000 will be replaced in the current phase. The project is part of the DLGO’s digital transformation strategy and is co-funded by the EU structural funds programme THALIA 2021–2027.
Speaking at a press conference, DLGO president Constantinos Yiorkadjis said a pilot installation of 3,000 smart meters within the Nicosia walled city had already been completed. “Already, 3,000 smart water meters have been installed on a pilot basis within the walls of Nicosia, confirming the significant benefits of the new technology in practice,” he said. The success rate for digital metering in the walled city stands at 99%, he added.
The first batch of 9,000 smart meters is expected to be received from Cyta in early August, with installation proceeding in eight successive batches of 9,000 devices at a rate of one batch per quarter. Installation will begin in the areas of Aglantzia, Engomi, Makedonitissa, part of Strovolos, old Nicosia, Latsia, Geri, Tseri, Anthoupolis, Ergates, Lakatamia and Kato Pyrgos Tillyrias.
The smart meters will allow daily, remote recording of water consumption at all premises across the district, replacing the current practice of physical meter readings every two months.
The meters will be linked to a smart application that can be installed on mobile phones, enabling consumers to monitor their usage and be alerted to unusually high consumption. Yiorkadjis said the system would help with the early detection of leaks, reduce water losses and encourage more rational water use among residents.
Also speaking at the press conference, Andreas Konstantinou, president of the DLGO’s Tenders Committee, said the evaluation process had examined the contract’s compatibility with European directives given the EU co-funding, and that the tender had been awarded to the lowest compliant bidder.
He described the evaluation and award process as particularly demanding, as the tender included qualitative specifications for the meters themselves.
“The award of the tender and the issue of a compatibility certificate mark the beginning of the implementation of this very significant project, which aims to add another major step towards the digital transition of the Nicosia DLGO’s operations and services,” Konstantinou said.