By a method implemented for the first time worldwide, water was delivered to the Alaköprü Dam in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) from Anamur, Turkey, through pipes buried 250 meters under water.

The first valve of the 80-kilometer-long pipeline from the Anamur district of Mersin was activated in order to deliver up to 75 million cubic meters of water to the KKTC. As part of the project, called the "project of the century" and aptly named the "Water Supply Project to KKTC," 16 cubic meters of water has already been delivered to the KKTC while the total amount is expected to reach the island within the first week of October. The water is being delivered to the capital Nicosia, and the water will be running to the shores for a while as the water pipes are currently being cleaned. The official inauguration ceremony is expected to be held on Oct. 29 and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to attend the ceremony.

Speaking to Daily Sabah, the president of Public Works, the Environment and Culture of KKTC, Kutlu Evren, defined the project as a "miracle come true," and added that since water is the essence of life, KKTC being able to obtain water from Turkey also means more investment and development in agriculture will follow. "We can also provide water to the Greek side through a project titled ‘peace water,' " Evren added.

However, Evren also underlined his worries about the future of the South Cyprus Project of the Century, as a report from the Greek Cypriot Intelligence Service (KİP) highlighted that "with the arrival of water, the Turkish side will become wealthier."

Water to be delivered from Mersin to KKTC can meet the country's water demand of 50 years. Water will pass through the 160-kilometer pipeline from the Alaköprü Dam and will be stored at the Geçitköy Dam near Kyrenia. A total of 38 million cubic meters of the 75 million cubic meters of water, which is expected to revive Cyprus' reputation as the "green island" after severe draughts, will provide drinking water, while the remaining will be reserved for agriculture. With the arrival of high-quality water, KKTC is expected to make a leap in agriculture.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. If both the Turkish and Greek sides can sign a peace contract through negotiations, water will also be delivered to the Greek side, which makes the project crucial in terms of politics and the reunification process.