Effluent re-use in a tourist resort — Larnaca sewage treatment and irrigation project — Cyprus

Abstract

Designs for sewerage, sewage treatment and effluent disposal prepared in the 1980′s, included for marine disposal of secondary treated and disinfected effluent via a 1.5 km long sea outfall. A reappraisal of the scheme in 1990 reviewed alternative options with a view to reducing costs and utilising effluent.An economic comparison showed that effluent storage and irrigation was an attractive alternative to marine disposal.A scheme was designed whereby all effluent will be given secondary treatment, stored in reservoirs until required for irrigation, withdrawn through sand filters, disinfected and pumped to an irrigation distribution system serving public amenity areas throughout Larnaca, including parks, gardens, road verges and hotel areas. A sea outfall will not be provided.The advantages of the scheme are conservation of water, improvement to the environment and prevention of marine pollution at a reduction in cost compared to the originally proposed scheme.