The national strategy for addressing water scarcity, along with the main response axes, were presented by officials at a meeting held under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion. The Prime Minister made it clear that water is and will remain a public good and vital resource, and must be treated as such. As noted during the meeting, addressing the water scarcity problem through national planning is an urgent reform need that will initially respond to today’s pressing needs and, in the medium to long term, prepare the country for the major challenges of the next 30 years.
Addressing water scarcity: The transformation of water management model in the country
Based on data presented during the meeting, our country ranks 19th globally in terms of water scarcity risk. Dam levels are at historically low levels, while it is indicative that water reserves in Attica have decreased by more than 50% compared to 2022.
Under these circumstances, a holistic approach to addressing the issue was decided, moving away from the fragmentation among different agencies that exists today. The government is set to proceed with changing the water management model in the country to a more functional system with greater efficiency and more investment.
In this effort, new technologies will be utilized, as well as complementary water production methods, such as desalination.
The five basic axes of planning are:
– Water is and will remain a public good, as provided by the Constitution and the jurisprudence of the Council of State
– Sustainable water supply, irrigation and sewerage companies, aiming for acceptable costs for all uses
– Holistic planning and central management of all necessary projects, small and large
– Urgent initiatives over the next six months, combined with an information and awareness campaign for citizens
– New technologies and complementary water production methods (desalination, recycling and reuse)
Currently, more than 1,200 water management and utilization projects are underway, of which 1,090 concern water supply and 237 irrigation. It should be noted that these projects are in addition to the 278 that have already been completed from 2019 to date.
Read here the national plan for addressing water scarcity
