Papastavrou: “€2.5 Billion Works to Fight Water Shortages – Attica Secured for 30 Years!”

Greece is taking strong measures to combat water scarcity, with investments of €2.5 billion in water management projects that will guarantee a stable water supply for Attica over the next three decades, announced Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, during the 100-year anniversary of EYDAP, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

At the heart of the plan is the major “Evrytos” project, which involves the partial diversion of the Krikeliotis and Karpenisiotis rivers to the Evinos, aiming to cover the water needs of over 50% of the population. The project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2029, exactly 100 years after the completion of the Marathon dam.

Papastavrou emphasized that Greece is currently at one of the lowest levels of water availability, with a reduction of reservoir stocks by 250 million m³ per year since 2022 and a 6% increase in water consumption, making Attica particularly vulnerable to water stress, which reaches 70% of the available water resources.

Under the framework of seven strategic axes, EYDAP is implementing short-term measures, such as activating wells in Mavrosouvla, Oungroi, and the Boeotian Kifisos, with a total contribution of approximately 150 million m³ of water per year. Additionally, medium-term projects are under consideration, including a water lift pipeline connecting to desalination plants and onshore desalination, which will provide an additional 87.5 million m³ of water per year.

The minister also highlighted the need for institutional reforms, including the modernization of EYDAP and EYATH regulations, labor and wage flexibility, and the restructuring of 110 public water and sewerage companies (DEYAs), to fully implement the ambitious €2.5 billion investment plan.

At the same time, the government is carrying out 151 projects with a budget exceeding €320 million to improve water supply and sewage systems on over 40 islands, from the Chrysiida project in Corfu to desalination facilities in Amorgos and Kastelorizo.

EYDAP CEO, Haris Sachinis, assured: “We will not leave Athens without water,” while also noting the potential activation of a “Plan B” with extensive desalination works.

With these interventions, the government secures citizens’ protection, sustainable water management, and the strengthening of public assets, keeping water as the highest-quality public good in Europe.

Source: pagenews.gr