Despite assurances from the Department of Environment that recent analyses by the State Laboratory revealed no pollution at Lady’s Mile beach in Limassol, the British Bases are maintaining their advisory urging the public to avoid swimming in the area until the situation is fully clarified.

Responding to media questions about the Department’s findings, a spokesperson for the British Bases stated, “We have been working closely with the Republic of Cyprus since the initial concerns emerged, and we will continue to do so.”

The Bases acknowledged the differing results between the two parties and confirmed plans to cooperate with Cypriot authorities in reaching a shared conclusion as soon as possible. “Until we can fully confirm that the water quality is safe, we advise the public to refrain from swimming in the affected areas,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing that public health and safety remain their top priority.

In a separate statement on Sunday, Director of the Department of Environment, Theodoulos Mesimeris, dismissed the possibility of water contamination at Lady’s Mile. He noted that bathing water in Cyprus is monitored under a well-established European regulatory framework and that the State Laboratory conducts systematic sampling.

According to Mesimeris, 123 coastal sites across the island, including three designated points at Lady’s Mile, are regularly monitored using a standardized methodology by an accredited body—namely, the State Laboratory.

He confirmed that after the British Bases raised concerns about potential water degradation, joint sampling took place on Friday. The samples were sent for analysis, which requires 48 hours to process. “Today, the analysis was completed, and the official report from the State Laboratory confirmed that no degradation or pollution was detected,” he said.

The Department of Environment informed the British Bases of the findings and both sides agreed to repeat the process to deliver a clear message that there is no pollution issue at Lady’s Mile.

When asked how the concerns initially arose, Mesimeris explained that the British Bases had made some internal observations that led them to notify the Department. This triggered the collaborative testing effort.

He reiterated that the 48-hour analysis timeframe was essential to ensure reliability and confirmed that results were communicated via an official bulletin issued by the State Laboratory.

Mesimeris also clarified that monitoring continues across Cyprus under a structured framework: Blue Flag beaches are tested every 15 days, while other swimming waters are sampled monthly. In addition to routine testing, extraordinary checks are carried out whenever any concerns or suspected pollution incidents arise.

He noted that the next scheduled sampling at Lady’s Mile is set for May 20 as part of the national monitoring program, which has been in place for some time. The same process applies to all beaches in Cyprus.

Asked whether sampling is more frequent during the tourist season, Mesimeris confirmed that during the warmer months—when swimming activity increases—sampling becomes more regular, while during winter, it is less frequent.

“Regardless of the season,” he concluded, “the Republic of Cyprus adheres to a strict monitoring program that ensures Cyprus’s waters remain among the cleanest in the European Union.”