Newsroom
A major environmental crisis is unfolding at Akrotiri Salt Lake, as sewage leaks and chemical discharges threaten Cyprus’ most important wetland. Officials have long been aware of the problem, but only now—after complaints, foul smells, and visible signs of eutrophication—are they scrambling to take action.
Sewage in the Salt Lake? Officials Knew for Years
According to Kathimerini's Pavlos Neophytou, at a tense, closed-door meeting on Jan. 9, the Limassol EIA admitted that several large businesses and residential areas around the lake were never fully connected to the sewerage system. The result? Wastewater—including raw sewage—is making its way into the wetland, creating what environmentalists warn is a "ticking health bomb" due to mosquito-borne disease risks and overall ecosystem degradation.
Despite the severity of the issue, the Environment Department and British Bases have so far refused to release test results from water samples, keeping the full extent of the pollution under wraps.
Environmental Disaster in the Making
Sources within the British Bases confirm the situation is worse than suspected. Their independent tests show significant sewage and chemical contamination at three key inflow points: Long Lake in Zakaki, the northeast of the salt marsh, and an area to the north near the eucalyptus grove. One of the major culprits? A stormwater retention pond managed by the Limassol EIA, which is leaking wastewater directly into Lake Makria—ultimately spilling into the salt lake and even reaching the sea at Ladies’ Mile.
Delayed Action, Mounting Questions
With the issue now in the spotlight, authorities are scrambling to respond. A second high-level meeting is set for Feb. 7, where officials are expected to outline their next steps. The Limassol EIA has been tasked with producing a full list of businesses and residences not connected to the sewerage system—a basic oversight that apparently went unchecked for years.
But questions remain:
- Why did it take public outcry for officials to admit sewage was leaking into a protected wetland?
- Will those responsible face penalties, or will taxpayers foot the bill for the clean-up?
- And crucially, when will the government and British Bases finally disclose the full test results?
Flamingos Are Leaving—A Red Flag for Conservationists
Akrotiri Salt Lake isn’t just any wetland—it’s a Ramsar-protected site of international importance. But as pollution worsens, so does the ecosystem. The Game and Wildlife Department has recorded a drastic decline in flamingo populations, with fewer than 30 seen at Akrotiri this January—compared to 100+ at much smaller lakes in Paralimni and Oroklini.
The reason? The birds' primary food sources—shrimp, phytoplankton, and invertebrates—are disappearing due to contaminated waters.
A Crisis Long in the Making
Environmental group Terra Cypria first raised the alarm in September 2023, after discovering unexplained liquid flows in the salt lake—despite a summer drought. This, combined with strong odors and signs of eutrophication, pointed to an ongoing problem that authorities had either ignored or covered up.
The government has promised an action plan, including a broader study on stormwater management. But as history has shown, promises don’t always translate into action. With mounting public pressure and environmental damage worsening, authorities are running out of time to prevent a full-scale ecological disaster.
*This article was translated and summarized from its Greek original
