ATHENS, Greece: Greece is grappling with an alarming water crisis exacerbated by its warmest winter on record and an unprecedented early heatwave, setting the stage for potentially dire shortages during the Mediterranean summer. With water reserves dwindling across the country, particularly in the densely populated Attica region and on vulnerable islands heavily reliant on tourism, authorities are scrambling to implement urgent measures.
In Athens, where over a third of Greece’s population resides, the Mornos reservoir—critical for the capital’s water supply—has seen levels drop by 30% compared to last year. The situation prompted EYDAP to issue a “yellow alert,” urging residents to curb water usage to sustainable levels. Public service announcements echo the urgency, advocating for reduced consumption and mindful water practices.
The challenge is even more pronounced on Greece’s islands, where reliance on wells and desalination plants is compounded by the seasonal influx of tourists. Islands like Leros have already declared a state of emergency due to malfunctioning desalination plants, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities exacerbated by past neglect and rapid tourism development.
Professor Nikitas Mylopoulos underscores the strain, noting that on some islands, summer water demand surges to staggering levels, overwhelming local resources that are already strained by year-round residents. Issues of over-consumption, poor maintenance of infrastructure, and inadequate water management practices have been cited across several affected islands, including Sifnos and Lefkada.
The government’s response has included emergency declarations and significant investment pledges, such as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s announcement of a major water supply project for Lefkada. These initiatives aim to address immediate needs and bolster infrastructure resilience against future water crises.
Climate change plays a pivotal role in exacerbating Greece’s water woes, with rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns intensifying heatwaves and sparking wildfires. Last month’s record-breaking heatwave, coupled with a surge in wildfire incidents, underscores the multifaceted challenges posed by climate-related impacts on water resources and environmental stability.
Looking ahead, hydrologists like Elissavet Feloni stress the need for comprehensive water management strategies and centralized governance to ensure sustainable resource allocation nationwide. Investments in alternative water sources, such as Lake Yliki, reflect efforts to diversify supply and mitigate the energy-intensive demands of emergency water pumping.
As Greece navigates through its most severe water crisis in recent memory, balancing the demands of tourism, the impacts of climate change, and the imperative of robust infrastructure investments will be crucial in safeguarding water security and resilience across the nation.
