The Mazotos community council has appealed to President Nikos Christodoulides to cancel and review plans for a mobile desalination unit proposed for the local coastline, citing significant environmental and archaeological concerns. The council expressed strong opposition to the project, arguing that recent increased rainfall has improved water reserves, allowing reconsideration of the decision and exploration of alternative, less damaging solutions.

The council highlighted deficiencies in the project’s environmental documentation, emphasizing that a strategic environmental assessment should have preceded the decision to ensure a national framework for siting such facilities. Concerns include potential harm to sensitive marine ecosystems, especially Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, and the impact of underwater pipeline construction in an environmentally and archaeologically sensitive area.

Additionally, the council noted that the facility’s large capacity exceeds reasonable limits for a temporary installation, warning that the project entails significant, potentially long-term coastal and marine interventions. They also referenced archaeological findings in the area, urging a comprehensive review and immediate presidential intervention. The council requested a meeting with President Christodoulides to discuss these issues further.