Environmental officials are investigating severe pollution at Polemidia dam in Limassol after residents reported persistent sewage discharge and overwhelming odours, the Environment Department said on Wednesday.
The Ecologists Movement’s coordinator for Limassol and Paphos districts, Andreas Evlavis, documented the situation during an on-site inspection, revealing significant environmental damage and distress among local residents.
“The stench is unbearable, and residents are outraged by authorities’ inaction”, Evlavis said.
Despite repeated reports to the Environment Department and Water Development Department over the past two years, the problem has continued to worsen, according to Evlavis.
The pollution source could be either the Vati wastewater treatment plant or another unidentified source, he said.
Environment Department Director Lakis Mesimeris told philenews that authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation.
“While initial complaints were vague, they became more specific over time. We are working with regional offices to investigate the causes of pollution and potential illegal dumping“, Mesimeris said.
Officials have scheduled a multi-agency meeting for Friday (31/01) to address the issue.
The investigation includes water sampling and drone surveillance of hard-to-reach areas to identify the pollution source and assess environmental impact.
The sewage discharge is contaminating the dam’s water, causing significant concern for both the ecosystem and water quality, with residents demanding immediate action from authorities to resolve the long-standing issue.
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