A wide-ranging meeting at the Deputy Ministry of Shipping failed to identify the source of the recurring marine pollution affecting Limassol Bay, reinforcing concerns that multiple activities may be contributing to the problem while oversight remains fragmented among numerous authorities.
Municipal leaders from Limassol and Amathounta used the meeting to demand stronger action from the state, criticising government departments and seeking answers on specific incidents linked to the pollution.
Particular attention focused on a drainage pipeline discharging water into the sea near Dasoudi Beach, as well as the recent malfunction at the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA) wastewater treatment plant in Moni.
The Mayor of Limassol also submitted the results of municipal water sampling tests, which he said were not encouraging.
Meanwhile, DISY MP Giorgos Karaiskakis announced that he will seek an ex officio examination of the issue by the House Environment Committee when parliamentary work resumes.
Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis confirmed that complaints regarding marine pollution in Limassol had been submitted by local authorities and members of the public and said all evidence would be examined.
Drainage pipeline under scrutiny
The strongest criticism during the meeting came from Amathounta Mayor Kyriakos Xydias, who raised concerns about a drainage pipeline recently installed along Limassol's coastline near the eastern end of Akti Olympion, serving a high-rise development under construction on the seafront.
According to Xydias, the pipeline is creating problems at the busy Dasoudi beach area. He called on the Department of Environment to clarify whether it approved the discharge and, if so, on what basis.
Questions were also raised because construction work on a new marine access ramp by Limassol Municipality is subject to seasonal restrictions designed to protect marine life and beaches, while the drainage pipeline has continued operating.
Video evidence
Further investigation by Politis obtained photographs and video footage from 27 August showing activity at the site.
During the day, workers were seen carrying out what appeared to be emergency operations to reposition the pipeline, while a crane was also deployed.
The pipeline reportedly begins at the construction site, crosses the coastal road and continues into the sea.
Approximately 100 metres offshore, near the breakwaters, it turns eastward and continues for roughly one kilometre before discharging drainage water.
According to the report, the original permit envisioned a zigzag route. After extending eastwards, the pipe was supposed to turn south into deeper waters, farther from bathers and the shoreline.
That, however, does not appear to be the current configuration.
The matter has been reported to the Department of Environment, which has launched an on-site investigation to determine whether the installed pipeline complies with its permit conditions.
Officials have acknowledged that a discharge permit was issued, subject to specific conditions.
The route was reportedly altered to avoid damage to Posidonia seagrass meadows on the seabed.
The Department of Environment is also expected to examine the quality of the discharged water and assess whether releasing it so close to bathing areas creates environmental or public-health concerns.
Local authorities say they were never informed about the permit.
Multiple possible pollution sources
The meeting again examined a wide range of potential pollution sources without identifying a definitive cause.
Participants indicated that one of the largest enforcement gaps concerns recreational vessels, with authorities highlighting the planned creation of a Coast Guard, already approved by the Council of Ministers, as a way to improve monitoring of maritime activity.
Officials from various government departments and local authorities attended the meeting, although the absence of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, which oversees marinas, was noted.
The involvement of at least 10 different agencies highlighted the complexity of the issue.
Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis said Cyprus's waters remain clean overall but acknowledged that improvements are needed and inspections would be intensified.
She set the next summer season as a target for delivering tangible progress.
Authorities also outlined plans to use additional technology, including:
- More water sampling.
- Drones.
- Enhanced monitoring equipment on inspection vessels.
- Real-time data collection systems.
A seven-point action plan is currently being implemented, although officials acknowledged that additional funding will be required.
The marine pollution committee currently operates on a modest budget of €500,000, shared among municipalities. Limassol Municipality, for example, received only €40,000.
Moni wastewater plant not discussed
Despite growing public concern, the serious operational problems at the Moni wastewater treatment plant, which recently resulted in sea discharges, were not discussed during the meeting.
Although EOA officials were present, no detailed explanation was sought regarding the malfunction or whether it may have contributed to the pollution incidents.
According to information obtained by Politis, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, despite serving as the national coordinator on marine pollution issues, had not been informed about the plant malfunction or the discharge of inadequately treated wastewater into the sea.
The ministry subsequently requested further information from both the EOA and the Department of Environment.
Sources indicated that a meeting held on 18 August involving the EOA, the Water Development Department and senior officials from the Agriculture Ministry resulted in a decision to discharge the water into the sea.
Questions remain as to why the Deputy Ministry of Shipping was not formally informed.
Depending on the information it receives, the ministry may add the Moni plant issue to the agenda of the Limassol Marine Pollution Committee as another element in the broader pollution investigation.
EOA sources insist that the Moni malfunction is unrelated to the beach pollution incidents, noting that similar complaints predate the recent operational failure by several years.
They also emphasised that an earlier incident reported by nearby communities involved tertiary-treated water of significantly higher quality, and should not be confused with the more recent discharge linked to the plant malfunction.
