The problem of water scarcity and the main axes of its management were presented today at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion.
During the meeting, it was noted that addressing the problem of water scarcity through a national plan is an urgent reform necessity. In the short term, it will meet today’s pressing needs; in the medium to long term, it will prepare the country for the major challenges of the next 30 years.
The Prime Minister emphasized that water is and will remain a public good and a resource of vital importance, and must be treated as such.
The meeting included a detailed presentation of the scientific data, which clearly demonstrate the scale of the problem—due to the climate crisis—in all Mediterranean countries, taking into account that Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world.
According to the data, Greece ranks 19th worldwide in terms of water scarcity risk. Reservoir levels are at historic lows, and indicative of the severity is that water reserves in Attica have fallen by over 50% compared to 2022.
Given these circumstances, a holistic approach to the issue was decided upon, to replace the current fragmented management by various bodies. The government will proceed with a radical change in the country’s water management model, establishing a more functional system with greater efficiency and increased investment.
This effort will leverage new technologies as well as supplementary water production methods such as desalination.
The five key axes of the plan are:
Water is and will remain a public good, as provided by the Constitution and the Supreme Administrative Court’s jurisprudence.
Sustainable water supply, irrigation, and sewerage companies, aiming for acceptable costs for all uses.
Holistic planning and central management of all necessary projects, large and small.
Urgent initiatives over the next six months, combined with a public information and awareness campaign.
New technologies and supplementary water production methods (desalination, recycling, and reuse).
These axes are expected to be detailed in the near future.
The plan will also lay the groundwork for projects already underway or under study. Currently, more than 1,200 water management and utilization projects are in progress, of which 1,090 concern water supply and 237 irrigation.
These projects add to the 278 completed between 2019 and today.
However, there is a clear need for further investment and a more coordinated effort to address this major social and national issue.
The related presentation follows here.
