Barring a miracle, swimming pools in privately owned complexes, such as the Royal Seacrest in Kato Paphos, will remain closed this year affecting tourist revenues and local businesses.
Taking criminal proceedings against owners and Management Committees who fail to comply with the swimming pool law and regulations will damage the Cypriot economy - especially tourism.
The owners of unlicensed communal swimming pools are facing court action following inspections carried out by the Paphos Municipality who insist that pools must be licenced, inspected daily and a lifeguard appointed.
Laws and regulations regarding the design, construction and authorisation of swimming pools may soon be revised as part of the package to reform Cyprus' complex and time-consuming planning system.
Unlicensed swimming pools in Paphos are a major health hazard - they lie half empty, some with stagnant water and this is attracting mosquitoes because no-one's available to look after them.
A new law that will make a distinction between private and public swimming pools has been proposed by the Interior Ministry and a draft is currently being scrutinised by the Legal Service.
A group of residents in Kato Paphos are demanding that the Cyprus laws on private swimming pools are updated after their passports were temporarily confiscated over non-compliance with regulations.
Antonio Tajani, the European Commissioner for Enterprise & Industry, has replied to a question raised by Arlene McCarthy MEP concerning the licensing of swimming pools in Cyprus and legal proceedings taken by the authorities against some owners.
MEP Arlene McCarthy has called on the EC to ensure unfair legal proceedings against Cyprus swimming pool owners are halted and that the correct European standards are enforced.
The safety of swimming pools, particularly in buy-to-let holiday homes, in Cyprus is a concern for both the owners of the holiday homes and those who rent them. The European Child Safety Alliance EuroSafe has published a document containing advice on how to protect youngsters in pools.
The costs of owning a communal swimming pool in Cyprus are escalating as authorities tighten up the enforcement of regulations seemingly designed for hotels and tourist complexes.
The Cyprus government is looking into changing the laws concerning swimming pools will bring relief to many people who have bought property in Cyprus. Under current legislation, communal swimming pools in private developments are treated as public swimming pools.
