Cyprus authorities map possible sources of repeated sea pollution off Limassol

Limassol, Cyprus. Cyprus’s Deputy Ministry of Shipping has met local authorities and relevant services to examine possible sources of repeated pollution incidents in the sea off Limassol, following beach images and complaints from residents.

Officials said potential sources include discharge pipes, wastewater treatment facilities, leisure boats and ships, fish farms and stormwater. The next stage is to complete mapping of the sources and carry out targeted checks to establish the origin of the incidents.

Coordinated response

Theodoulos Mesimeris, Deputy Director-General of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, said the meeting was convened at the initiative of the Deputy Minister of Shipping and followed previous contact with local authorities, as well as observations and complaints from citizens.

He said the Deputy Ministry of Shipping had been appointed as the coordinating body to identify and map potential pollution sources and prepare a framework for additional action.

Mesimeris said an effective monitoring mechanism was needed to allow services to respond as quickly as possible when an incident occurs.

Bathing water monitoring

Mesimeris said Cyprus operates a regular sampling programme for bathing waters and that the overall results were very good.

“Cyprus’s picture is excellent. It puts us in the top category among all European Union countries,” he said, while acknowledging that pollution incidents do occur.

He said Limassol bay has many possible sources of pollution because of the level of activity in the area.

Discharge pipe examined

A drainage pipe extending from a high-rise building under construction on the coastal avenue and discharging into the sea east of Akti Olympion was among the matters discussed at the meeting.

Mesimeris said he had been informed that the Department of Environment had issued a permit for the discharge. He said it was a licensed discharge into the sea rather than a pollution issue.

However, he said authorities must determine whether the permit conditions are being met and whether the discharge could be causing local deterioration in water quality.

Following the meeting, the Department of Environment began examining whether all relevant conditions are being complied with. Video footage published by Politis newspaper showed activity around the pipe and continuing works in the area.