Tala water safe, tests show

THE LOCAL authorities of a Paphos community said yesterday the water supply to Tala village had not been contaminated with diesel as initially thought, assuring residents there were no health risks from consuming the water.

In the past few days, residents of Tala had complained about the smell of diesel in their water.

Part of the Tala community is supplied water from private boreholes belonging to Ayios Neophytos monastery.

The monastery and the mayor of Tala, Daniel Papadopoulos, initially thought the water supply had been maliciously contaminated with diesel.

But yesterday, and after the water had been tested by the state lab, Papadopoulos told the Cyprus Mail that the water was clean and safe for consumption.

“As it transpired from the tests carried out by the state lab, there are no toxics in the water, including diesel or anything else,” he said.

He conceded there was a diesel-like smell coming from the water, adding that it could have been coming from the residue at the bottom of the tanks, which were almost empty due to increased consumption.

Papadopoulos said the tanks had since been washed and chlorinated and the water supply had been resumed.

Water supply to the area had been interrupted for at least four days.

Papadopoulos said the many problems – cuts, reduced supply — would be solved when the area was linked with the state water network.

Work was currently under way to link the area with the water refinery in Asprokremmos, the mayor said.

“I believe the project will be ready by the end of the year,” Papadopoulos said.

He said the main pipes had been already laid, water tanks were in place and pumps were being installed.

“Part of the community is already linked to the system but the whole area will take until the end of the year,” he said.