Benefits and Advantages

The sewerage project in respect of which considerable public and social resources are being used, form a basic infrastructure for the country and an indisputable indicator of civilisation and development. The works cover a number of substantial social needs and aim to improve the quality of life and to protect public health and the environment. Some of the benefits and advantages of the sewerage system are as follows:

(a) Upgrading the quality of life

The quality of life and the hygienic conditions in the areas where the system operates have already improved. The operation of the sewerage system has relieved these areas to a great extent from previous problems that were caused by the continuous emptying of cesspools. In the past, hotels and blocks of apartments were required to empty and maintain septic tanks and soak ways. The sewerage system provides a healthier and more appropriate way to manage liquid wastes.

(b) Preserving the natural environment

Previously, all sewage waste was discharged in septic tanks and cesspits, resulting in the pollution of the ground water of the areas where such waste was discharged. Polluted waters then ended in the sea and caused various risks and other environmental problems. With the operation of the sewerage system no more pollution of ground water is effected and the discharge of sewage waste in the area of “Vati” outside Lemesos has significantly been reduced. In the past, all sewage waste was discharged at “Vati” creating thus a serious environmental problem in the area and in the Polemidia Dam. Sewage waste discharged at Vati has been reduced by approximately 60%. Moreover, the wastewater treatment plant produces by-products such as treated biosolids and methane. Treated sludge is used as a soil-improving substance mainly for tree cultivations whilst methane is being used for electricity generation, covering part of the power, required to operate the plant.

(c) Saving and processing waters

Water is a substantial natural resource for our country and it should be managed in the best possible manner. The tertiary treated effluent at the wastewater treatment plant is reused for agricultural and other purposes. On completion of the project, the amount of water to be saved is expected to exceed 10 million cubic metres per year, which equals approximately the amount of water reserved in the Germasogia Dam. Today around 4 million cubic metres of water are reused per annum.

(d) Saving of money

It is estimated that the operation of Phase A of the system helps to save over an approximate of 3.5 million Euro per year otherwise spent on the discharge of Greater Limassol waste water at “Vati” area. In the long term, the central sewerage system will cause big savings to be made regarding the construction and maintenance of private smaller cesspools.

(e) Economic development and tourism

The most significant advantage of the system is maintaining sustainable development, the protection of the environment and improvement of the quality of life in our town, with a further impact on the development of tourism and the economy in general.

(f) Flooding incidences

The construction of main stormwater drainage systems reduces the social and financial consequences resulting from the direct damage on properties caused by flooding, or even destruction of basic infrastructure such as roads, pavements and underground cables. It also reduces any indirect damage caused by traffic congestion and minimises pedestrian difficulties.

Moreover, uncontrolled flooding and the flow of surface water causes nuisance and public health problems, development of mosquitoes, accumulation of litter, grease and other pollutants. 

(g) Standard of living

As a result of the above, the sewerage system contributes to further development and increase of the standard of living of the town of Limassol inhabitants. Considering all the above advantages, there is no doubt that if we all cooperate, ourselves and our children will enjoy a better quality of life in the years to come and that we will secure a better environment to the forthcoming generations.