AUTHORITIES yesterday confirmed that there was a problem with the quality of the water in Mesa Yeitonia that may have affected Limassol in general.
Despite ongoing complaints by residents about the foul smell, the Water Board insists that the problem has been addressed and that both potable and tank water are now safe for consumption.
“About 15 days ago there was a problem with the smell of the water and indeed there was a problem with the oxygenisation of the water that came from the Kourris Dam, but the issue had been immediately addressed and most Limassol residents had not even noticed it. I assure you that it is now suitable and can be used without problem,” said Nikodemos Nikodemou, a Senior Mechanic at the Water Board.
Mesa Yeitonia residents, however, continue to complain that their water has an unpleasant odour and fear that it is unsafe. Residents are reportedly refraining from using the water for drinking or cooking as they are worried about possible health risks. One resident complained that the water smelled so bad that he could not take a shower.
According to Nikodemou samples have been taken from the specific household and test results will indicate if the problem does in fact continue, as an initial review of the household did not indicate anything suspicious.
“At this moment we have a report by one Mesa Yeitonia resident. We have gone and investigated the matter to see if the problem continues which is not the case,” he said.
The Water Board claims that the odour came from the insufficient oxygenisation of the water- a technical problem that has been solved.
“The water from Kourris comes from many levels and is transferred from one level to another. Definitely when we take water 10m higher the oxygen is less, but then the water goes through various processes of oxygenisation at the reservoir and there is no issue that there may be a problem with the quality.”
Water ‘scares’ are beginning to emerge since arsenic above international limits were found in the water supply in Mammari village in Nicosia. At the weekend it also emerged that nearby Kokkinothrimithia also had an arsenic problem.
