In response to potential extended water shortages, the Greek government has introduced a comprehensive plan featuring seven key initiatives.
The plan was unveiled by Minister for the Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, alongside officials from the Athens Water Company (EYDAP).
Skylakakis emphasised the need for cautious water consumption, noting that if drought conditions persist, additional consumption-limiting measures might be implemented. He highlighted ongoing efforts to secure funding for drought mitigation, including support from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the EU Emission Trading System, the Green Fund, and Greece’s Public Investments Program. Additionally, a new plan for managing water reservoirs has been approved, and a Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy, and Water Management has been established.
Key Initiatives
1. Securing Athens’ Water Supply: Short-, mid-, and long-term measures will address Athens’ dwindling water reserves, projected to fall below 700 million cubic meters by October. Plans include borehole drilling, water desalination, reusing treated wastewater, and recharging underground currents.
2. Wastewater Management and Desalination: With up to 200 million euros allocated from the National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA), 150 million euros will fund projects in Corinthia, the Saronic Gulf, Alexandroupolis, Kassandra, and Rethymnon. An additional 50 million euros will support desalination projects on various islands.
3. Immediate Action and Repairs: The government will invest 80 million euros from Greece’s Public Investments Fund for urgent repairs, including fixing water supply networks, separating consumption and agricultural systems, and installing digital meters.
4. Island Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy Projects: The newly established Island Decarbonisation Fund will oversee desalination and multipurpose reservoir projects linked to renewable energy. The Hellenic State has committed 166 million euros, potentially rising to 450 million euros based on CO2 pricing.
5. Reforming the Water Supply Industry: The government plans to streamline the water supply industry by reducing the number of suppliers by 75 percent to improve efficiency and collection rates.
6. Water Pricing and Social Protection: A new joint decision will regulate water pricing with transparency, including tiered pricing based on consumption and protections for financially vulnerable groups.
7. Environmental Models and Climate Change: A study to develop environmental models for each regional unit will assess climate change impacts on water supplies. Conducted by the Academy of Athens, the study's initial results are expected this fall.
(Source: GTP)