Water quality remains excellent in the tested swimming areas, despite recent instances of foaming and the appearance of oil slicks in coastal areas of the Limassol District, as well as complaints about discharges from the Moni Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to the Department of the Environment.
In a statement issued on Friday, in response to recent media reports regarding the quality of bathing water, the Department states that, based on the results of tests and analyses to date, “the water quality at the tested swimming areas has not been affected and remains excellent.”
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It notes that the quality of bathing water in the Republic of Cyprus is systematically monitored throughout the bathing season, from May 1 through October 31, in collaboration with the General State Chemical Laboratory and the Health Services, based on a scientifically validated sampling and analysis program.
For 2026, it adds, an intensified monitoring program is being implemented in the districts of Famagusta and Limassol, as well as in the Mackenzie area of the Larnaca District, taking into account complaints submitted during the previous swimming season. The frequency of sampling in these specific areas has been increased beyond the minimum requirements of the law.
Regarding the foaming and the appearance of stains observed in coastal areas of the Limassol District, the Department reports that additional sampling and analyses are being conducted, beyond the regular monitoring program.
The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and the General Chemical Laboratory of the State, with the aim of determining the nature and origin of these phenomena.
“Based on the results so far, no microbiological contamination has been detected that is linked to the observed foaming phenomena,” the Department states, clarifying that the investigation is ongoing.
Regarding complaints about discharges from the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Moni, the Department of the Environment reports that it immediately proceeded to investigate the incident, conduct additional inspections, and take measures in accordance with relevant legislation.
In collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and the Health Services, emergency sampling was conducted in the Moni area, as well as in the neighboring bathing water areas of Kalymnos, Akti Kyverniti, Agios Georgios Alamanou, Aoratos, and Panagies.
As reported, the analyses revealed an increased microbiological load only in samples taken near the Moni Station area and far from the five swimming areas. In the latter, according to the Department, no microbiological contamination was detected.
“Overall, with regard to the quality of bathing water in the area, the results of both unscheduled and scheduled sampling show that it has not been affected and continues to be classified as excellent,” added the Department of the Environment.
The Department noted that its inspectors will continue to conduct increased inspections and that, where violations are detected, the necessary measures will be taken immediately, while the public will be kept informed of any new developments.
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