Oxygen depletion may occur in water bodies, which are subjected to pressures from urbanized, highly-populated areas and from livestock breeding at farms, which are located close to surface water bodies. Furthermore, the sanitary landfills and specifically the organic matter that finds its way to leach, as well as the industrial activity from the industries that produce and dispose conventional pollutants can also affect the water quality in the recipient water bodies in their vicinity.

Based on both the analysis of pressures and monitoring data, both rivers (Xeros, Pediaios, Gialias, Voroklini, Aradippou, Tremithos, Argaki tou Pyrgou, Germasogia, Garylis, Akrotiri, Kouris) and dams/lakes (Polemidia dam) are at the risk of failing the objectives of the WFD due to oxygen depletion.. These risks mainly originate from the following sources:

• The 5 urban centres (Nicosia, Limassol Limassol, Larnaca, Pafos, Agia Napa) which affect watersheds 3-6, 6-1, 6-5, 8-1, 8-2, 8-4, 9-1, 9-2, 9-4, 9-5 and 9-6;
• The waste disposal sites of Kotsiatis, Vati, Agia Marinouda, Larnaca and Agia Napa, which affects watersheds 6-1, 6-5, 9-5, 1-4, 8-1, and 7-2 (Figure 1);
• Industrial activity near the urban sites and the industrial areas (Figure 2).

  
  Figure 1: Waste disposal sites in Cyprus
  

  
  

  

  Figure 2: Significant industrial point sources