The Municipality of Samothrace approved the conclusion of a Program Agreement with the Democritus University of Thrace for the preparation of a study of a holistic approach and management of excess and shortage of water on the island. The project aims to address the chronic imbalance in water resources, utilizing innovative techniques for the storage of rainwater and surface water, which during the winter months are lost unexploited to the sea, while protecting the natural environment and ecosystems.
The initiative focuses on the dynamic management of both flooding phenomena and periods of water scarcity, especially during the months of increased tourist traffic. The integrated management of water resources aims to ensure the quality of life of the residents, but also to enhance the development potential of the island, with benefits in agriculture, livestock farming, tourism and in general in socio-economic development.
The study will be implemented within 18 months from the signing of the contract and includes two main parts with corresponding deliverables. In the first part, a register of torrents will be created with a hierarchy of flood risk, a horizontal mapping with UAV will be carried out and protection zones will be defined, while local predictive meteorological and hydrological models for torrents will be developed, accompanied by mountain hydronomy proposals based on digital tools.
The second part of the study concerns the assessment of the island’s water footprint in all uses – domestic, tourist, agricultural and livestock – and the forecast of water needs over a decade. The water balance per catchment area will be calculated, as well as the contribution of each basin to the surface and groundwater reserves, while surface water harvesting projects that combine water improvement and flood protection will be proposed.
The project is expected to put Samothrace on a new trajectory of sustainable development, offering security to residents, ensuring their quality of life, enhancing the island’s attractiveness for visitors and business activities and promoting environmental awareness and the responsible use of natural resources.
