Limassol authorities demand urgent action over marine pollution

Marine pollution in the coastal waters of Limassol has sparked widespread concern and indignation among local authorities and the public. During a meeting held on August 27, 2026, the Mayor of Amathus, Kyriakos Xydias, and the Mayor of Limassol, Yiannis Armeftis, demanded concrete solutions from the Deputy Ministry of Shipping and the Department of Environment. The pollution, characterized by foam, sludge, and debris, has been linked to various sources including fish farms, commercial shipping, recreational vessels, and drainage pipelines. As a direct consequence of the ongoing degradation, Limassol and Amathus declined to apply for Blue Flag status for their beaches in 2026, losing the eight awards held in 2025.

While the Department of Environment maintains that water quality at official swimming zones remains excellent, it confirmed that an elevated microbiological load was detected near the Moni wastewater treatment plant following a technical failure. Investigations are currently ongoing regarding a drainage pipe connected to a new high-rise project near the Dasoudi beach, which officials claim has since been redirected to deeper waters. Despite assurances from state agencies, citizens and municipal leaders continue to criticize the bureaucratic fragmentation involving 17-18 different government departments, calling for greater transparency, mapping of all coastal outflows, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to prevent further ecological damage.