Background Water storage is one of the most serious environmental problems in Cyprus. There is a real need for more efficient protection of bodies of water and groundwater according to principles of sustainable development. The absence of a standard approach in the operation of the urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTP) creates a serious environmental problem in the country. Objectives The overall objective of the project was to achieve the effective operation of the UWTPs in Cyprus so as to accomplish a) the harmonisation of the Cypriot legislation with the provisions and requirements of the European legislation; b) the protection of the freshwater recipients of Cyprus from the effects of urban wastewater discharges; c) the safeguard of clean water resources; and d) the promotion of the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation purposes and the use of sludge generated from the wastewater treatment for agricultural purposes, and in so doing, promoting more general principles of reuse and recycling. The specific objective of the project was to develop and implement a management system for the control and monitoring of five UWTPs in Cyprus. More precisely, the project intended to achieve compliance of the relevant authorities with the requirements of Cypriot and EC legislation; ensure effective operation, control, and monitoring of five UWTPs by their operators and the competent authority and effect the transfer of applicable knowledge to the individuals involved; develop the capacity of the competent authority to provide the EC and the public with standardised data; safeguard the outflows of the UWTPs as appropriate for reuse; and disseminate the project’s results. Results The project team analysed the current situation regarding Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants (UWTPs) in Cyprus, reviewing Cypriot and EU legislation, the existing infrastructure, including the technology used in the Cypriot UWTPs and the BAT in EU, and the wastewater generated in Cyprus and future trends in this area. Based on this preparatory work and the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, the project team evaluated the projected needs for new UWTPs. The project team then developed an integrated computer-based system for monitoring and controlling six of the UWTPs in Cyprus. This new system comprises two modules: - The first module, which is installed in each UWTP, stores data on the quantity and the quality of wastewater and sludge, collected by UWTP staff. - The second module, which is installed in the premises of MANRE, enables the WDD to have online access to the first module and generates reports and maps on the status of all the UWTPs being monitored. The project team prepared a series of guidelines and trained staff in the new system. In addition, they tested the new monitoring system over the course of a one-year sampling programme involving the six UWTPs. In addition, the project team carried out a number of dissemination activities, including the creation of a project website, the publication of a project leaflet, participation in two international conferences and the organisation of a third one. Finally, the beneficiary expects the new monitoring system to be extended to all Cypriot UWTPs in the near future, which, if achieved, would be a wider impact than envisaged the original proposal.