Plans for a new project for the use of recycled water in agriculture have been prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture aiming at increasing water supply by 40 million cubic metres, sources told the CNA on Sunday.

The Ministry has prepared a seven-year strategic development plan for the period 2015-2021 that will be discussed by the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance at the beginning of 2015, the source said, adding that the cost of the project is expected to exceed 80 million euros.

The same source noted that the project will be Cyprus` response to the underwater pipeline built by Turkey to transport 70 million cubic meters of water to the island`s occupied territories.

The overall plan is a priority for Nicos Kougialis, the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who will meet with the Minister of Finance in the first days of the next year to come to an agreement and include the project in the annual budgets of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The project requires storage tanks, warehouses, recycled water treatment plants and piping networks to transport and distribute water around the island.