In a strong signal on the future of public water management, Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou made it clear that EYDAP will remain a public company, calling the government’s stance “non-negotiable.”
Speaking at the 41st regular congress of the Federation of EYDAP Employees, Papastavrou praised the company’s century-long legacy, attributing its success to “the people who keep it running with responsibility and dedication every single day.”
The minister highlighted EYDAP’s historic infrastructure projects — including the Marathon Dam, Yliki, Mornos, and Evinos — describing them as “landmarks that have shaped Greece’s modern water network.”
He emphasized that the return of EYDAP to full state ownership was secured by the government of New Democracy and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, preventing its transfer to the privatization fund.
“EYDAP is and will remain in public hands — that is final,” Papastavrou declared.
Turning to the climate and water challenges, he warned that Greece ranks 19th globally in drought risk and faces “the second-highest level of water stress in Southern Europe, after Cyprus.”
According to the minister, since 2022, the country has seen a 25% decrease in rainfall, a 15% increase in evaporation, and a 6% rise in water consumption — a combination that signals the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and water management reform.
To address these issues, the government has prepared a comprehensive plan to strengthen and expand EYDAP, which already serves nearly half of Greece’s population. The plan includes:
- Extending EYDAP’s reach to Boeotia, Phocis, Euboea, and the greater Attica region.
- Investing in modern water and wastewater systems.
- Hiring new permanent staff over the next three years, as approved by the company’s Board of Directors.
Papastavrou stressed that employees remain the backbone of EYDAP’s success, and the government will continue to support its workforce as the company adapts to future environmental and technical demands.
Concluding his remarks, he pledged that EYDAP will remain a pillar of public trust, ready to meet the challenges of the next decade in a rapidly changing climate.
Source: pagenews.gr