Bathing water quality remains excellent at the areas tested, despite recent reports of foaming and patches in coastal waters in Limassol district, as well as complaints of discharges from the Moni Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Environment Department said.
In a statement on Friday, issued in response to recent reports about bathing water quality, the department said that, based on the results of checks and analyses carried out so far, “the quality of the water at the bathing areas that have been tested has not been affected and remains excellent”.
Ongoing complaints
Bathing water quality in the Republic of Cyprus is systematically monitored throughout the swimming season, from 1 May to 31 October, in cooperation with the State General Laboratory and Health Services, under a scientifically based sampling and analysis programme.
For 2026, an enhanced monitoring programme is being implemented in Famagusta and Limassol districts, as well as the Mackenzie area of Larnaca district, taking into account complaints submitted during the previous swimming season. Sampling frequency in these areas has been increased beyond the minimum requirements set by legislation.
Regarding the foaming and patches observed in coastal waters in Limassol district, the department said additional samples and analyses were being carried out beyond the regular monitoring programme.
Tests
The investigation is being conducted in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and the State General Laboratory, with the aim of determining the nature and origin of the phenomena.
“Based on the results obtained so far, no microbiological contamination associated with the observed foaming has been detected,” the department said, adding that the investigation was continuing.
Regarding complaints of discharges from the Moni Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Environment Department said it had immediately investigated the incident, carried out additional inspections and taken measures under the relevant legislation.
In cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and the Health Services, emergency samples were taken in the Moni area and at nearby bathing areas: Kalymnos, Governor’s Beach, Agios Georgios Alamanou, Aoratoi and Panayies.
Assurances
The analyses found elevated microbiological levels only in samples taken close to the Moni plant and away from the five bathing areas.
No microbiological contamination was detected at the bathing areas, according to the department.
“Overall, with regard to bathing water quality in the area, the results of both the emergency and scheduled sampling show that it has not been affected and continues to be classified as excellent,” the Environment Department said.
The department added that its inspectors would continue carrying out enhanced checks and that immediate action would be taken wherever breaches were identified in accordance with the law.
The public will be kept informed of any further developments, it said.
Source: CNA
