Athens Turns to Hadrian’s Aqueduct in Water Crisis

As climate change continues to wreak havoc with scorching temperatures and reduced rainfall in Greece, Athens faces an unprecedented water supply crisis. The capital's reservoirs are at their lowest in over a decade, and the agriculture sector is straining to cope with the resulting challenges. In response,

Athens is exploring a mix of modern solutions, like a new connection with an artificial lake and desalination facilities. However, the city is also turning back the clock to harness the capabilities of Hadrian's Aqueduct, an engineering marvel from the Roman era.

Katerina Dimitrou of the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Co notes, "We have an ancient monument and feat of engineering that we’re bringing into the present to save water and cool the city." The project, in collaboration with the Culture Ministry and local authorities, aims to rejuvenate this historic infrastructure to supplement Athens' water supply, irrigate green spaces, and promote a new water culture.

Originally built in the second century under Roman Emperor Hadrian, the aqueduct provided centuries of service to Athens, save for a lapse during the Ottoman occupation. Its 15-mile-long underground network, Europe's longest of its kind, still runs beneath the city, efficiently transporting water via gravity.

Largely forgotten after the construction of Athens' first major dam in the early 20th century, the aqueduct's potential is now being rediscovered. In the suburb of Halandri, a new 2.5-mile pipeline is set to connect homes, schools, and parks to this age-old water source by March. Residences near the pipeline will have direct access, while others will receive water deliveries by truck. Initially free for six months, this water is intended for non-potable uses such as washing and gardening, conserving potable water for essential needs.

The project’s goal is to expand to encompass seven additional municipalities along the aqueduct’s path, potentially saving over 250 million gallons of water per year. While this is a modest fraction of Athens’ annual consumption, the initiative also seeks to cool the city through green space irrigation.

Funded with 3.1 million euros from the European Union, the project is not only revitalizing the aqueduct but also garnering international attention as a model of urban innovation. Other European cities, like Serpa in Portugal and Rome in Italy, are looking to Athens for inspiration on how to repurpose historical infrastructures for modern needs and foster community involvement.

Despite the project’s promise, awareness among locals remains limited. Many Athenians are unfamiliar with the aqueduct, even around Dexameni Square, its central reservoir's location. To address this, authorities are collaborating with nonprofits to educate the public through tours and educational programs.

Key to the initiative’s progress has been local community involvement, with residents like Christina Christidou actively participating by organizing workshops and advocating for sustainable water practices. She reflects on the past saying, "We used to leave the shower running, but now we’re anxious about how much water we can use."

Athens’ initiative exemplifies how historical resources can be reimagined to address contemporary challenges, offering a hopeful vision for the future. As Christos Giovanopoulos puts it, "You can discourage people from using water or encourage them to use other sources. This is more positive."