Pollution Control
The Pollution Control Division of the Department of Environment, has the responsibility to protect, control and prevent water and soil pollution from the operation of industrial and farming activities, as well as from any other human activity that may or tends to pollute water and soil. The basic legislative instrument on which the control of water and soil pollution control is regulated is Law No. 106 (I) / 2002. This Law together with its amendments (No. (I) / 2005, 76 (I) / 2006, 22 (I) / 2007, 11 (I) / 2008, 53 (Ι) / 2008, 68 (I) / 2009, 78 is known as “The Control of Water Pollution Laws 2002 to 2009”.
On the basis of the above-mentioned Laws, water and soil protection is ensured with the granting of permits for waste disposal to specific establishments by the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. Environmental permits contain specific conditions, depending on the type of each establishment, for the sound management of liquid and solid waste and its controlled disposal in the environment. Inspectors of the Department of Environment carry out inspections to check the degree of compliance with environmental conditions. In cases of violations appropriate measures are taken such as letters of compliance, performance tuning and preparation for reporting to the Attorney General for taking criminal measures.
For certain categories of establishments with significant potential 'polluting' activities, “the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Laws of 2003-2008” (Law 56(I)/2003, Law15(I)/2006 and Law 12(I)/2008) are additionally applied. These Laws aim at the prevention of emissions in the atmosphere and discarding of waste in water and soil, based on prognosis and taking the necessary measures, mainly by applying the Best Available Techniques (BAT), so a high level of environmental protection can be overall achieved.
For the best protection of waters, specific protected areas/water bodies are designated (e.g. drinking water sources and wells, water bathing areas, protected areas of aquatic ecosystems or rare aquatic species). Furthermore, vulnerable zones to nitrates and sensitive areas due to urban waste, based on the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus (eutrophication) are also designated. Stricter water protection measures are taken in these areas.
The implementation of the Law on the Management of Bathing Water Quality (L.57(Ι)/2008) is done in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, where the quality of bathing waters is monitored on a monthly basis and where necessary, the appropriate management measures are taken. In addition to the monitoring and management of quality, key provisions of the law regarding the compilation of a list of bathing water areas, which are sorted into 4 levels of quality and identities are compiled for each area. Particular importance is also given to informing and involving the public, especially when drawing up the list of bathing areas. Public awareness is carried out through informative material posted on the website of the Department of Environment and with press releases, as well as through signs which are expected to be posted before the start of the bathing season of 2012, to each of the 113 bathing areas.
The Division is also responsible for the implementation of the Management of Waste from Extractive Industries Law (L.82(I)/2009). The aim of this legislation is, to the extent possible, prevent or reduce adverse environmental impacts of all kinds, particularly in air, water, soil, fauna, flora and landscape, and any resultant risks to human health, resulting from the management of extractive waste.