Filenews 22 May 2025 - by Ioanna Mantziapa
The Administration of the British Bases seems to have opened a front with the Republic of Cyprus regarding the water quality in the Lady's Mile area. The scenario that has been formed since last Saturday causes great concern to the involved bodies and creates serious financial problems for the businessmen of the region. Citizens, as well as visitors, declare themselves insecure, not because of the quality of the water, but because of the general situation that has been formed and the deep difference of opinion between the Bases and the Republic of Cyprus.
At the center of this whole situation has been the State Chemical Laboratory of the Republic of Cyprus, which, as it seems, is being questioned by the British Bases as to the methodology followed in the present case of the results in the waters of Lady's Mile.
The monitoring of bathing waters is governed by the European Bathing Water Directive and the competent authority for the implementation of the provisions of this directive is the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture. Based on this European directive, the British Bases have assigned since 2012 the responsibility to monitor bathing waters in the coastal area of Lady's Mile in the Republic of Cyprus. In fact, the Department of the Environment and the Health Services of the Republic, for 13 years, have been carrying out regular water quality checks at three points of the beach. These tests are carried out by the State Chemical Laboratory.
Now, it seems that things have changed, as – as one can see from yesterday's new announcement by the British Bases – the results of this mechanism no longer seem to be recognized. It is curious, however, why this is happening at this time. It is worth noting that in the past, when samples were taken from the same area and from the Akrotiri Salt Lake, the British Bases were in accordance with the results of the State Chemical Laboratory of the Republic and never questioned the methodology followed.
The question that remains, however, remains unanswered, is why the British Bases insist on their own results since they have ceded the water monitoring mechanism to the Republic of Cyprus since 2012. Their attitude is considered suspicious by some, with the "bad tongues" even talking about expediency.
Another "hot" question is the fact that the British Bases did not inform the Republic of Cyprus from the beginning that they would carry out parallel analyses themselves. Also, although the first samples were taken last Friday jointly with the Republic of Cyprus – and, in fact, the Bases allowed the officers of the Departments involved to take a sample even from the military area – this did not happen last Monday.
The waters are crystal clear, say the State Chemical Laboratory and municipalities
In relation to the quality of the water on the beach, and after the new sampling that was carried out on Monday in front of the restaurants of the area, the results of the analyses of the General State Chemical Laboratory confirm that the waters are absolutely clean and suitable for swimming.
The same position is expressed by the municipalities of Limassol and Curium, based on their own results from sampling that they also carried out in front of the restaurants in the area, which are located within their municipal boundaries. The analyses were carried out by an accredited private chemist, which carried out the audits on behalf of the two municipalities. The results showed that the water is of excellent quality, with the values of the parameters examined fluctuating well below the legislative limits.
According to an announcement by the Limassol Municipality, the same positive results were recorded along the Olympic Coast, where the sampling was extended.
Correspondingly, the results of the sampling of the Municipality of Kouri, which took place in front of the four restaurants of Lady's Mile, which fall within the boundaries of the municipality, recorded zero indications of coliform (E. coli). Zero number of enterococci was recorded in front of one restaurant, a single-digit number in two others, while in the fourth restaurant a double-digit number was recorded, which, however, remains within the acceptable limits.
British bases repeat warnings
Despite the new data, the British Bases returned yesterday with a new announcement, through which they reiterate the recommendation to the public to avoid swimming on the beach of Lady's Mile. As noted in the announcement, they themselves proceeded to new sampling on Tuesday, noting that the results will be available towards the end of the week. However, they urge the public to avoid swimming in the area until the situation is fully cleared. "There are many reasons why analyses can lead to different results, such as the fact that they are based on different samples, which were taken at different times and from different locations," it said.
In the same announcement it is added that more than one type of examination is also carried out. Both the British Bases Command and the Republic of Cyprus have used the Membrane Filtration method (48 hours). In addition, the Base Management has also applied the Enterolert method (18 hours). Both methods are carried out by the internationally accredited laboratory of the Bases, which is recognized according to ISO standards.
In addition, the announcement underlines that the British Bases Command has a legal obligation to inform the public when there is evidence that indicates poor water quality. Finally, the appeal is reiterated to avoid swimming in the area "until we are sure that these areas are within the acceptable limits for safe swimming. The health and safety of the public remains our highest priority," concludes the announcement of the Bases, assuring that intensive efforts are being made to identify the possible source of the problem.
