Greek Government Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Tackle Water Shortages

Minister for the Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis. Photo source: Environment Ministry

Preparing to face possible extended water shortages, the Greek government presented a comprehensive plan based on seven key initiatives.

In the presence of several officials, including managers from the Athens Water Company (EYDAP), Minister for the Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, presented the plan, initially warning that “regardless of water availability, consumption should be self-contained, and that is a rule of life.” He added that if the country experiences another drought period, more consumption-limiting measures may be introduced, “but for now, all we ask for is cautious consumption.”

Photo source: EYDAP

Skylakakis spoke of a number of actions already taken by the Ministry to secure adequate funding for projects aimed at mitigating the effects of drought. This includes securing financing from entities such as the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the EU Emission Trading System, the Green Fund, and Greece’s Public Investments Program. He added that a plan for the management of water reservoirs has been approved and referred to the establishment of the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy, and Water Management, along with several other measures.

The seven key actions to be undertaken by the Ministry are:

1. Ensuring water supply for the Greek capital

Short, mid, and long-term measures will ensure Athens’ water supply, with its reserves estimated to drop to less than 700 million cubic meters by this October, down from 1.1 billion cubic meters in October 2022. Considering that the current reserves would last up to four years, some of the announced measures include borehole drilling for water in the Mavrosouvala area, considering water desalination, reusing water from the Psyttalia wastewater management facility for industrial and agricultural use, and recharging natural underground currents.

2. Wastewater management and desalination

With funding of up to 200 million euros allocated by the National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA), projects worth 150 million euros related to wastewater management and desalination will be undertaken in Corinthia, the Saronic Gulf, Alexandroupolis, Kassandra and Rethymon. Another 50 million euros will be allocated mostly for desalination projects on several islands. The Ministry of National Economy and Finance will participate in the funding process.

Photo source: EYDAP

3. Immediate action, including repairing networks

Projects for immediate action, worth 80 million euros, will be on the agenda, funded by Greece’s Public Investments Fund. These projects will include repairs to water supply networks, separating water supply systems for human consumption from those used for agricultural production, desalination, installation of digital water meters, and more.

4. Desalination and the Island Decarbonization Fund

The Island Decarbonization Fund, currently being established, will also undertake desalination projects and projects for constructing multipurpose reservoirs connected to renewable energy initiatives. The Hellenic State will contribute 166 million euros for such projects, potentially up to 450 million euros depending on CO2 prices.

5. Overhauling the water supply industry

The Hellenic State will undertake reforms in the water supply industry, aiming to reduce the number of suppliers by 75 percent. One reason for this is that in several cases, small local municipal companies have a collection rate of less than 85 percent of the expected water bills.

Photo source: EYDAP

6. Water supply pricing and social protection measures

A joint decision by the ministries of Environment and Energy, National Economy and Finance, Interior, and Agricultural Development includes specific and transparent rules for water pricing. It should be noted that pricing is carried out by the supply companies, under the supervision of the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste, and Water (RAAEY). The new joint decision outlines the government’s basic principles for the water market, including tiered pricing based on consumption, with protections for financially vulnerable social groups.

7. Environmental models and climate change effects, per regional unit

A study to create environmental models for each regional unit of the country will be conducted to enhance the analysis of climate change effects, including those on water supplies. The study will be carried out under the auspices of the Academy of Athens, with its first results expected this fall.