Nicosia: The quality of swimming waters in areas tested across Cyprus remains excellent, despite recent reports of foaming and patches in the sea off Limassol and complaints concerning discharges from the Moni Sewage Treatment Plant, the Department of Environment said on Friday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Department of Environment issued a statement in response to recent reports and public concern, asserting that, based on checks and analyses carried out so far, "the quality of the waters in the swimming areas tested has not been affected and remains excellent."
Swimming water quality is systematically monitored throughout the bathing season, from May 1 to October 31, in cooperation with the State General Laboratory and the Health Services. For 2026, intensified monitoring is being conducted in the districts of Famagusta and Limassol, as well as in the Mackenzie area of Larnaca, following complaints submitted during the previous bathing season. Sampling in these areas has been increased beyond the minimum requirements of the relevant legislation.
Regarding the foaming and patches recently observed in areas of the sea in Limassol district, the Department stated that additional sampling and analyses are being carried out to establish their nature and origin, in cooperation with the Shipping Deputy Ministry, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and the State General Laboratory. "Based on the results available so far, no microbiological contamination associated with the observed foaming phenomena has been detected," the Department said, adding that the investigation is continuing.
Concerning complaints about discharges from the Moni Sewage Treatment Plant, the Department noted it immediately launched an investigation and carried out additional checks and sampling. Water samples were collected in the Moni area and five nearby bathing-water areas: Kalymnos, Governor's Beach, Agios Georgios Alamanou, Aoratoi, and Panagies, in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and the Health Services. The analyses showed increased microbiological levels only in samples taken close to the Moni plant and away from the five bathing-water areas. No microbiological contamination was detected in the five bathing areas, according to the Department.
The Department concluded that the quality of bathing waters in the area continues to be classified as excellent, emphasizing that enhanced monitoring will continue and legal measures will be taken where violations are identified.
The statement comes amid concerns over marine pollution in Limassol and a meeting held on Thursday with the Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis, during which Limassol municipalities raised the issue and called for a solution.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Friday, Amathounta Mayor Kyriakos Xydias said marine pollution in Limassol was caused by a combination of factors both on land and at sea, including fish farms, recreational vessels, commercial ships, and pipelines discharging into the sea. "We demand that the competent authorities find a solution," Xydias said, noting that the issue had contributed to the decision by the municipalities of Amathounta and Limassol not to seek Blue Flag status for 2026. The Municipality of Amathounta had received nine Blue Flags in 2025.
Xydias also raised the issue of a drainage pipeline linked to a major development project, saying it had been moved last week from the Akti Olympion area towards Dasoudi. He said the Department of Environment had confirmed at Thursday's meeting that the pipeline was authorised, but that it should have been located considerably farther from the coast. He called on the authorities to explain why the pipeline had been diverted and why the conditions of the permit had not been checked.
Xydias said the water discharged by the pipeline might not necessarily pose a health risk to swimmers but could create aesthetic problems and, if it reaches the shore, contribute to eutrophication. He stressed that the municipalities were seeking a comprehensive solution to Limassol's marine pollution problem, noting that the involvement of several authorities made the issue more difficult to address.