Attica has officially been declared in a state of emergency due to water shortages. Minister of Environment Stavros Papastavrou stressed that “it’s time for decisions” and reassured citizens that the region will not run out of water.
Water reserves in reservoirs have dropped from 1.1 billion cubic meters to around 400 million, while the region consumes 250 million cubic meters per year. Immediate measures, such as new wells and desalination plants, are already underway, while the Evrytos project promises a long-term solution for the next 20–30 years.
The Minister also warned that islands and tourist areas are under heightened risk during the summer months, highlighting the need for coordinated water management nationwide.
In a climate of heightened concern but decisive action, Minister of Environment Stavros Papastavrou spoke about the pressing water shortage affecting Attica. The region has now been placed under emergency status, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
“It’s time for decisions,” the Minister said, noting that water reserves have steadily declined in recent years. Rainfall has decreased and consumption has increased, resulting in reservoirs dropping from 1.1 billion cubic meters in 2021 to around 400 million today. Attica consumes roughly 250 million cubic meters annually, making the situation particularly critical.
“If no rain falls at all, we have water for approximately two years,” Papastavrou explained. He added that a series of projects are already underway—including wells and desalination plants—that will provide immediate relief.
Special emphasis was placed on the Evrytos project, expected to take 3–4 years to complete, which aims to provide a solution for the next 20–30 years. All projects, he noted, will be carried out in cooperation with EYDAP, whose public status remains unchanged, ensuring that water remains a public good.
The Minister reminded citizens that this is one of the most serious water crises in Attica’s recent history: “Since 1991, this is only the second time water shortages have knocked on our door.” He reassured the public that “efforts are organized so that Attica will not face shortages.”
However, water scarcity is not limited to the capital. Papastavrou stressed that the problem extends across Greece, especially on islands and tourist regions, where summer demand multiplies. “These areas require greater attention and planning,” he said, to avoid critical situations.
Papastavrou’s statements make clear that climate change and rising consumption have turned water scarcity into a structural risk for Attica and the wider country. The steady drop in reservoir levels is no accident; it results from droughts, higher temperatures, and growing demand.
The combination of long-term projects, like Evrytos, and short-term solutions, such as wells and desalination, reflects a multi-level water management strategy.
His emphasis on the public status of EYDAP reassures citizens that water remains a public good, while warnings about islands and tourist regions indicate that water management will be a key element of Greece’s social and economic policygoing forward.
In short, Greece is entering a new era where water management is a national priority, combining immediate, medium-, and long-term measures to tackle water scarcity effectively.
Source: pagenews.gr