The cost, timetables, fee imposition and implementation procedures of the Larnaka Sewerage System projects were matters of discussion and briefing within the competent bodies of the Larnaka Sewerage and Drainage Board (LSDB) and, as of 1 July 2024, the District Local Government Organization of Larnaka (DLGOL). In the context of full transparency, the reasons for the delay and the increase in the cost of the implementation of Phase D of the Larnaka Sewerage System (Municipality of Aradippou – Municipal District of Livadia – Communities of Voroklini and Pyla) are fully known. The decisions and actions of the local authorities of the Municipality of Aradippou have clearly affected the project, both in terms of implementation and cost.

In order to avoid false impressions and to inform interested parties, the following are provided:

  1. In the context of the preparation of the budget of the Sewerage Boards for the period 1/1/2024 – 30/6/2024, written instructions were given by the Ministry of Interior (letter dated 01/08/2023), according to which the imposition of sewerage fees, for reasons of uniform application, would take place in the second half of 2024 by the new District Local Government Organizations.

It is noted that, based on the provisions of the Larnaka Sewerage Regulations of 1991 to 2021, sewerage fees are paid on an annual basis. Therefore, the DLGOL, following the instructions of the Ministry of Interior, has imposed the annual sewerage fee for 2024 during the second half of the year.

  1. According to the schedule of the latest Feasibility Study for the Phase IV projects of the Larnaka Sewerage System, which was prepared in 2023, the estimated duration of the project, from the preparation of the documents for the procurement of Consulting Engineer services to the completion of the construction works, is approximately 111 months. The tender for the assignment of the Consulting Engineers is expected in 2025.
  1. The initial study was prepared in 2005 by the Sogreah – A.F. Modinos & S.A. Vrahimis Consortium, following instructions from the Water Development Department (WDD). The study concerned the Municipality of Aradippou and the then Community of Livadia, with an estimated cost of €34,588,789.00 excluding study costs.
  1. In 2018, following instructions from the WDD, a new study was prepared which included the Communities of Voroklini and Pyla, which were not included in the initial study of 2005. The 2018 study was updated in 2023 following instructions from the Larnaka Sewerage Board, with the total cost estimated at €270,000,000.00.
  1. The timetable for the imposition of sewerage fees was approved by the Council of Ministers by decision no. 92.417 dated 5/1/2022, taking into account the Government’s policy regarding the granting of state aid to the project. According to this decision, the annual sewerage fee charged to property owners in the Municipalities amounts to 0.7‰ of the value of the properties, for a period of 25 years, based on the latest assessed value by the Department of Lands and Surveys.
  1. The fees paid by citizens in the context of plot development are imposed under the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law, as a condition for issuing a division permit. Sewerage fees were imposed under the Sewerage Systems Law, and from 1 July 2024 they are imposed under the District Local Government Organizations Law of 2022.

The above also constitutes the response to a letter from MP Mr. Prodromos Alampritis to the President of the DLGOL, which was communicated to the Press.

Larnaka, 22 October 2024.