Rivers or open sewers? Some examples
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The Almiropotamos
This lovely reed-fringed river reaches the sea
at the western end of Vatera beach. It receives the sewage of Polichnitos via a
tributary and also that of Vrisa, via another tributary. In its lower reaches it
is in a disgusting state, offensive to both the eyes and the nose. It poses a
threat to the health of bathers at Vatera and to anyone who comes in contact
with it. The sewage from Polichnitos is discharged just downstream of its
Thermal baths and the bath site is crossed by an ugly concrete pipe carrying
untreated sewage, which is broken in places with holes large enough for children
to fall through.
The Vougaris
This is a mountain stream flowing past the beautiful
Moni Perivolis with its famous frescos and reaching the sea at Ancient Andissa.
It receives the untreated sewage of modern Andissa and, via the Lardia, that of
Vatousa. At Moni Perivolis the smell is overpowering and offensive. The outlet
is at what would otherwise be a lovely beach.
The Lisvorio River
This short stream, one branch of which flows
through the Lisvorio Thermal Baths, deposits untreated sewage from Lisvori into
the Gulf of Kalloni between the Polychnitos Salt Pans and Skamnioudi. In its
lower reaches it is one of the most disgusting of all of the polluted rivers of
Lesbos. It is seen and smelt by many where it is crossed by the road from
Achladeri to Scala Polychnitou and is known to the Skala Kallonis bird-watchers
as 'Smelly River'. It destroys what again would be a fine beach and, more
worryingly, it is polluting a rich and important fishery and a wetland of
international significance.
The Evergetoulas
This river discharges into the Gulf of Gera at
the wetland of Dipi Larissos. On its way it collects sewage from Lambou Mili and
Agiasos.
The Aghia Paraskevi Stream
This small stream flows from the
southern edge of Aghia Paraskevi, joining the north of perimeter dyke
surrounding the Kalloni Salt-pans. In spring 2001 it was highly polluted,
apparently with sewage but possibly with other toxins, and was killing the flora
and fauna in the dyke, making it unusable by wading birds and marsh terns. This
example of pollution is worrying because of its proximity to works producing
salt for human consumption.
Page last updated:30 Aug 2003