Sewage pollution claims prompt Limassol coastal water probe

Local agricultureLimassolsewageTop Newswater Sewage pollution claims prompt Limassol coastal water probe Afalatosi Relevant News Paphos cable theft: two arrested, 150kg of EAC wire seized 23 July 2026 Sewage pollution claims prompt Limassol coastal water probe 23 July 2026 Larnaca demolishes illegal shacks, finds asbestos on beach 23 July 2026 Angelos Nicolaou 23 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus’s Environment and Fisheries Departments are investigating repeated claims that untreated or treated sewage is being discharged into the sea off Moni and Monagroulli in Limassol, after local communities raised the alarm with state authorities. The claims have raised questions about the safety of coastal waters and possible effects on the area’s desalination infrastructure. The case came to light after representatives of the Moni and Monagroulli community councils met with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou last week. The meeting had been called to discuss a proposed new desalination unit in Monagroulli. The agenda shifted, however, when local authorities submitted a formal complaint about pollution in the sea area near both the proposed site and the existing Sewage Treatment Station run by the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA) in Moni. The Environment Department took on the task of identifying the exact sources of the pollution. As part of that effort, the Fisheries Department collected samples from the seabed with the help of divers, while the Environment Department separately took surface water samples. Laboratory results are expected in the coming days and will determine the scope of the ecological impact. The Limassol EOA’s Sewage Treatment Station in Moni produces tertiary-treated water, distributed through the Water Development Department (WDD) for irrigation. Under the WDD’s discharge permit from the Environment Department, releasing this water into the sea is allowed only as an exception, when there is a technical fault in the network and reduced demand for recycled water due to rainfall. The station has reportedly been receiving additional, increased sewage volumes on specific days of the week recently, to absorb higher loads from greater Limassol, raising questions over whether it is operating at the limits of its capacity. A written complaint submitted to the authorities and media by a citizen, accompanied by photographs from the discharge area, has drawn particular attention. According to the complaint, a visible change in the colour and quality of the water was observed over the three-day period of June 23-25, 2026. Untreated sewage was being discharged into the sea area below the sewage plant in Moni, the complaint said. The water in the discharge area had changed colour, as shown in the photographs. “The illegality must stop immediately,” the complaint added. The same written complaint also refers to a previous incident, following a strike by tanker drivers in Limassol, when the president of the Limassol EOA had publicly stated that an official complaint was received regarding the quality of the recycled water produced at the Moni plant. Beyond the apparent degradation of the marine environment, the complaint also points to a direct risk to the water supply, since the existing Moni Desalination Station is located just three kilometres from the Sewage Station’s discharge point. Local communities and affected parties are awaiting the official results of the analyses from the Environment and Fisheries Departments, demanding full transparency and the immediate adoption of corrective measures. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Paphos cable theft: two arrested, 150kg of EAC wire seized Larnaca demolishes illegal shacks, finds asbestos on beach Cyprus imposes rolling power cuts amid heatwave demand shortfall Fire service responds to vehicle blaze in Alassa area Indonesia denies irregular deportation, seeks Cyprus assurance on Miqdad Police make 13 arrests, log 339 traffic offences overnight Motorcyclist seriously injured after crashing into trees in Paphos Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.