In a detailed press release, the “Free Kythira” Political Group addresses the Mayor of Kythira regarding the issue of the sewer system in the southern part of Kythira. Read below:
FREE CYPRUS
OUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SEWER SYSTEM ON THE SOUTHERN ISLAND REMAIN UNANSWERED
It's one thing to claim that you've responded, and quite another to actually respond. We'll rephrase that.
the questions we had initially submitted to you, hoping (obviously due to our inexperience) for clear answers.
QUESTION 1. Who, when, and under what procedure, contract, and fee prepared the hydraulic
studies?;
YOUR ANSWER: «It was carried out entirely by our municipality's Technical Department in collaboration with the Regional Department of Technical Support for Island Municipalities.»
REPRINT: The complex studies (topographical, hydraulic) required for the southern part of the island’s sewer system proposal were prepared in Kythira. We can see, therefore, that there are scientists on the island whom the Municipality could utilize to carry out highly complex studies in a very short time using its own resources, while at the same time, TTYNDE claims it is unable to draft even a paving study based on an existing topographic survey. Why, then, have the corresponding studies for Potamos, Agia Pelagia, and Avlaimon not been completed after all these years? Why does the municipal administration prefer to rely on the services of the Regional Authority and prevent the establishment of a full-fledged Technical Department within the Municipality? Isn’t it reasonable to assume that some people are bothered by the fact that the residents of Kythira are scrutinizing the feasibility, cost estimates, awarding of contracts, and proper execution of public works?;
QUESTION 2. The three deputy mayors and the opposition parties consider the 17.5 million euro cost of the Network Design Budget to be justified, given that the cost per connection ranges from four to ten times that of other proposals approved under the Recovery Fund?;
YOUR ANSWER: «If Mr. Sofios continues to press the issue of the sewer system, then perhaps there is a personal reason behind his stance on this project...»
REPRINT: Specifically, excluding the costs for the Kapsali wastewater treatment plant (biological treatment) and the solar panels at the depot, the cost comes to 39,000.00 euros per connection, whereas in comparable approved proposals, the cost ranges from 4,000 to 10,000.00 euros per connection. The wide dispersion of settlements is not a valid excuse, since the comparative cost per kilometer of network for Kythira is 437,000.00 euros/km, whereas the typical range for the rest of the country is between 130,000.00 and 180,000.00 euros/km. Therefore, the project is unjustifiably overpriced and many times more expensive than a solution involving more local wastewater treatment plants, which would eliminate the need for kilometers of pipeline between settlements, depressing pipelines and pumping stations, while also providing local irrigation water. For example, a local WWTP for Mylopotamos would provide enough water for reuse to revive the stream (which you dried up with such environmental recklessness) and would cost one-third of what the corresponding pumping stations and kilometers of pressure pipes that you included in the study would cost. To illustrate the waste of resources: if this money could be given to the beneficiaries (that’s 60,000 euros per reconnection!), it would be more than enough for every household to install an energy-autonomous home system with a complete water cycle, rainwater harvesting, a 100-cubic-meter tank, biological treatment, and reuse. Since you mentioned «personal reasons» (you judge others by your own standards), please answer, Mr. Sougiannis, Mr. Sarantakos, Mr. Kominis, and Mr. Trifyllis: have you reviewed the project’s cost estimate? Do you personally agree or disagree? (We thank Mr. Magoulas for responding with a clear statement on behalf of his faction.).
QUESTION 3. Because in the EIA signed by the mayor and prepared by the company
Why is the alternative of decentralized treatment systems—proposed by the Athens-based ENCON* consulting firm—not only not selected but not even considered, and why is it being concealed?;
YOUR ANSWER: ……….
REPRINT: Why did ENCON deviate from the clear guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment and Energy?
(https://ypen.gov.gr/perivallon/ydatikoi-poroi/diacheirisi-lymaton/): «Wastewater Management in Small Settlements […] Flexibility, particularly in terms of the opportunity it offers to avoid the construction of extensive and disproportionately costly sewer networks in such cases, offers opportunities to implement realistic options based on decentralized wastewater treatment and management systems in general. […]»?;
WHO instructed the EIA consultant, Mr. Babo, to guide it** so that
Should this extensive and costly network be presented as the only option? Anyone? On its own, it
Did he think about it?;
- I wonder if there are any environmentalists from Kythira?;
**Since we are not naive enough to expect a response from you, we hereby state that the
The validity of an EIA that does not examine all available scenarios will, of course,
be challenged the day after the election. And because you’ve become predictable, in the next
«In response to your »angry« post titled »Mr. Sofios Must Respond to Us,” we are responding right now
that the project will not be halted, but will simply be modified in its best interest
the local community, rather than the interests of those who exploit it.
QUESTION 4. What were the participatory procedures followed so that the citizens of Kythera could be informed and express their views?;
YOUR ANSWER: «We worked quietly, without fanfare»
REPRINT: You, who are far too talkative, have «quietly» prepared the most expensive project of your term in office. We understand that public scrutiny bothers you, but unfortunately for you, it is mandatory. When, for example, was the study presented and discussed in Mylopotamos, in Kapsali, and in the villages that were «left out»? DATES!
QUESTION 5. Why, over the course of two terms in office, did the municipal government prioritize the development of this specific project rather than the construction of wastewater treatment plants in other parts of the island (given that many of the projects included in the Recovery Fund involve new wastewater treatment plants)?;
YOUR ANSWER: «…the sewer system in the southern part is much more advanced than the sewer systems in other areas of the island.».
REPRINT: Your campaign promises: «We are moving forward with sewer projects that have been stalled for years or for which we inherited problematic designs: Potamos, Agia Pelagia, Avlemonas-Paleopolis.» After the election, however, you suddenly pulled out of the very bottom of (your own) list of priorities a project that didn’t even exist in your campaign brochures, and you abandoned the urgent sewer projects that you had promised were «maturing» since time immemorial. A project of enormous complexity, costing 27 million euros, came to fruition as if by magic within a few months, while when it comes to your pre-election promises, you’ve been beating around the bush for nine whole years (and your predecessors for another 15).
WILL YOU EXPLAIN TO US WHY?;
You haven’t shown the slightest progress on the Potamos and Avlaimon drainage projects (yet you’re touting urban renewal projects…). As for the Agia Pelagia wastewater treatment plant, in 9 years* you have completed only a … «basic» preliminary study!!!
*On September 1, 2014, the Preliminary Study was incorporated into the Attica Regional Operational Program; five years later
(April 23, 2019) The Program Agreement for the Preliminary Study was signed and
But four years later (April 18, 2023), you proudly announced that the
Basic preliminary study. Step by step.
Let's assume you need 2 more terms for the environmental study and another 3–4
Stages of maturation?;
We’re worried that Mr. Babos from ENCON might have retired….
21/06/2023
FREE KYTHIRA POLITICAL GROUP
