Source of contamination still unclear

New water analyses are to be carried out at Lady’s Mile beach on Monday after high levels of enterococci bacteria were detected in the area’s seawaters over the weekend, prompting the British bases authorities to issue public warnings.

Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC on Monday morning, Environment Department Director Theodoulos Mesimeris said the bases authorities “had likely acted pre-emptively”.

Protocols and legally binding regulations are in place, as well as reliable testing procedures, which are carried out at the central laboratories, Mesimeris added, responding to questions about the state analyses having given the all clear for the beach to be re-opened.

And, Curium Mayor Pantelis Georgiou said the municipality had decided to proceed with its own testing to “diffuse the slightest shadow of a doubt” over safety.

The mayor recalled that this was not an isolated incident and occurrances of pollution happen periodically in the area.

On Sunday afternoon Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanoli had told media that Lady’s Mile beach was to be returned to the public “within a few hours”.

However, later in the day the British bases authorities cautioned that the situation was as yet unclear.

Despite earlier assurances from the environment department that no danger had been detected in analyses carried out at the state chemical laboratory, bases experts appeared to disagree, reiterating a warning not to swim in the area until the situation is clarified.

“Until we can fully confirm that the water quality is safe, we advise the public not to swim in the affected areas,” a spokesman said, adding that health and safety remained the highest priority.

“We have been working closely with the Republic of Cyprus since the initial concerns arose and we will continue to do so,” the spokesman said.

He added that the British bases authorities were aware of the results of all analyses carried out. “We intend to cooperate […] for a common conclusion, as soon as possible,” he said.

No source for the pollution has yet been identified and there will be updates depending on developments, he added.

A British bases statement on Saturday had said unsafe levels of enterococci were detected in the marine area of Lady’s Mile and bathers were urged to stay out of the water. Environmental experts from the British bases and the state had been working to identify the source of the contamination.

Hadjimanoli said she had been informed and that the aim was “to return the beaches back to the public, clean, so that they can enjoy this most precious asset.”

“In a few hours we will be able to return the beach back to the public,” she said.

Asked about the source of the contamination and whether the restaurants are responsible, she said the area’s restaurants undergo routine inspections during peak summer periods. It was not possible at the time to pinpoint whether the contamination came from sewage, she said.

It is known that the area is without sewerage works and is serviced by septic tanks in the vicinity.

Hadjimanoli urged the public “not to worry” and said, once identified, the source of the contamination would be announced. Ongoing thorough inspections are carried out both on sea and on land, the deputy minister assured.