Moni community raises alarm over sewage discharge into sea

Moni, Cyprus. Sewage is reportedly overflowing into the sea near Moni, where the community has raised concerns about pollution and the capacity of the local treatment plant. The issue comes as plans proceed for a desalination plant in neighbouring Monagroulli that is expected to supply up to 60,000 cubic metres of water daily to Limassol households.

Treatment plant capacity

The Moni treatment plant has been operating above capacity after receiving septic tank trucks redirected from the Vati plant, which is undergoing repairs.

The plant treats sewage and produces water suitable for irrigation. Excess water is intended to be discharged only in the event of a technical problem.

During holiday periods, sewage treatment plants operate at full capacity because of increased tourist arrivals, with excess sewage discharged into the sea, according to the report.

Community concerns

In June, the Moni community council reported high concentrations of sewage in the sea, which had reached the beach.

In July, the community councils of Moni and Monagroulli met the then agriculture minister to discuss the planned Monagroulli desalination plant and raised the pollution issue.

Moni community leader Giorgos Evripidou said the desalination plant would draw seawater and distribute it to households, while sewage had been flowing into the same water for years.

Environmental activist Efi Xanthou, a member of Volt and the Ecological Movement of Cyprus, said the pollution could affect tourism, warning that visitors who see it may not return.