Tiny bubbles in the wine
Make me happy make me feel fine

As the song says, tiny bubbles in the wine may be fine, but they’re not too good in the surf.

The continuing appearance of tiny bubbles on the surface of the sea in the Gouves area is caused by the illegal pumping of sewage into the sea, the Khronicles has learned.

“This phenomenon is caused by large quantities of surfactants, which are compounds mainly found in sewages with a high content of detergents, which are being channelled into the sea,” said Manolis Kamilakis of Gournes, a noted chemical engineer and environmentalist. “These could originate from certain waterfront hotels or from boats, and are transported by marine currents.”

Mr. Kamilakis said it is a problem commonly found in coastal regions where there are no biological installations for waste treatment and sewer systems.

When confronted with this information, Gouves Mayor Yiorgos Nikolakakis told The Khronicles that the long-awaited project for a large biological installation in the municipality will finally be put out for bid this month.

“It is one of the largest works being done on Crete, roughly 13 million euros,” he said. “In the time-frame in which we work in Greece, it takes you about 10 years to realize such a huge project from the time you plan it and carry out all the necessary studies, then announce the bid and assign the work to the right contractor.”

Then, apparently with crossed fingers, he added: “I hope everything goes smoothly and the bid is successful and all this before the municipal elections because I’m very wary of the upcoming new situation and the slashed budgets.”

In regard to the illegal practice of sewage being pumped in the sea by certain hotels, and even some private home-owners, the mayor in the past has stated that, when discovered, the violators are reported to the district for action.

However, a local fisherman, who obviously asked to remain anonymous, told The Khronicles that he prefers to take direct action.

“When we spot an illegal pipe going into the sea we come back in the middle of the night and fill it with concrete,” he said. “We used to see thousands of baby fish swimming in the shallow sea, but not these days!”

According to the Coast Guard, the appearance of surfactants, or bubbles, in the water does not mean that the sea is polluted, and there is no danger for swimming.