The community leader of Achna, Nikos Vasilas, warns of impacts on crops, the aquifer, and the environment following a leakage of sewage from livestock tanks into the community’s reservoir.
In his statement, Mr. Vasilas stated that the problem was detected on Sunday morning as large tanks in an area adjacent to the reservoir broke, expressing hope that the bird population would not be affected.
“There will be losses,” he estimated, stating that pine trees were planted in the area in 2007, and there are also orange groves. “From the sewage, it appears that potato crops, grains have been affected,” he added.
He spoke of an environmental “disaster” and called on the authorities “to take responsibility.”
Asked if the relevant Departments of Environment and Fisheries have been informed, he said he had not contacted any official and referred to other instances in the past that “have not been addressed.”
Mr. Vasilas said that mandatory biological treatment plants must be established, otherwise “Cyprus is being destroyed.” He referred to the number of livestock units in the area, stating that there is legislation that imposes restrictions on the number of animals. He said he had requested in a letter to the Department of Environment to conduct a study “but unfortunately nothing has been done.”
