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I.A.CO is proud to be partner of the Eurostars project E-Wat-Dimon. The Eurostars funded project E-Wat-Dimon was launched in July 2020, and has a duration of 35 months.

Aims of the project are to design and validate DNA metabarcoding methodology for European benthic diatoms identification and to develop a DNA-based analytic test for its standard application in biodiversity assessments of European rivers. The main output of the project will be a low-cost product, unique and fast DNA-based tool for routine application. The output of this project will be possibly a patent, of interest to genomic and environmental assessment fields. Eurostars funded projects such as the E-Wat-Dimon support small and medium-sized enterprises (R&D- performing SMEs) to develop rapidly marketable innovative products, processes and services.

Partners in the project are the Laboratorios Tecnológicos de Levante Spain which is the leader organisation, the Cyprus University of Technology and I.A.CO which is the national coordinator.

05/2020 – I.A.CO has successfully completed the Environmental Impact Assessment Study under the EIA Law No. 127(Ι)/2018, for a Mixed Commercial/ Residential Development in Skala parish in the Municipality of Larnaca. The Project was granted with the Environment Department’s Positive Formal Opinion in May 2020.

The project concerns the construction and operation of two similar high-rise buildings, the “Poseidon” and “Apollo” buildings. The site of the project is almost opposite of the Larnaca fishing shelter, located on Piale Pasa Street, which is part of the coastal front of Larnaca’s Municipality, where tourist and recreational activity is relatively intense.

I.A.CO has successfully completed the two year project of “Sampling, sample analysis and evaluation of biological quality elements (rivers). Implementation of Article 8 of Directive 2000/60/EC”. During 2018, a total of 116 different sampling stations were assessed. 411 samples of BQEs where collected. During 2019, 120 sampling events took place, at 121 stations. In total 399 samples of BQEs were collected. The samples collected for all BQEs were analyzed by the respective experts, and as according to the Terms of Reference. The analysis of samples was followed by the calculation of the national index of Cyprus for each BQE, except of fishes, since no national fish index is so far available. The sampling, covered a large extent of the island’s hydrographic network and important rivers, have been monitored sufficiently. The sampling stations were located in such a way as to cover variations in parameters such as altitude, flow type, river typology, pressures etc.

IACO presented the “Master Plan of the Stormwater Drainage System of a coastal area in Geroskipou Municipality” elaborated on behalf of the Geroskipou Municipality. The design was based on the Master Plan of the area and took into account the future modification of the Town Planning Zones. Measures for the protection of the stormwater receiver, i.e. the sea, from potential pollution, and the control of the possible visual nuisance due to the presence of bathers, were also proposed.

IACO team participated in the voluntary European Network named “Drinkable Rivers” which helps the mobilization of local people to experience and monitor their river. IACO monitored “Pedieos” River in Nicosia and became part of a movement for better water quality in Europe. We were trained, we measured, we got wet, we laughed and we bonded alongside the river.