The closure of construction sites during the quarantine, seems to have caused a delay in the completion of the wastewater treatment plant for west Limassol at Polemidia. This development would have been nightmarish if the projects supported by the station, including the casino resort in neighbouring Fasouri, were completed earlier. However, some delay in the completion of the casino is also seen as a foregone conclusion, and the revised timetables for both projects now coincide, with early 2022 seem as a safe bet. Therefore, the six-month delay in the operation of the station is not considered by the Limassol–Amathus Board (SBLA) as in any way disastrous for the sewerage network of Limassol, which is already approaching its limits. The foundation stone of the plant was laid by the President of the Republic on March 7, shortly before the quarantine.
The plant, which will serve more than 35.000 people, will allow the utilisation of the biogas produced for the production of electricity and also allow for the full reuse of the sludge produced as a soil conditioner that will benefit farmers. The use of the recycled water for irrigation purposes is of particular importance. The amount of water saved is estimated at more than 13 million cubic meters per year, an amount larger than that of the Germasogia dam.
The ten-year contract with the Kruger-Cybarco consortium is worth €26 million. The project is co-financed by the EU Cohesion Fund. At the same time, concerns are caused by the delay in the construction of the pumping station in the port area, which is necessary for the operation of the wastewater treatment plant. In June the Board of Directors of SBLA will grant the project to another bidder in order to start construction work in September and is expected to be completed within 18 months, that is, around the beginning of 2022.
