In order to implement the plan for water management to prevent the country from facing the risk of water shortage, projects worth 2.5 billion euros are being launched across seven strategic axes. This plan was announced in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis by Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou at EYDAP’s event celebrating its 100 years of operation. As clarified, water is and will remain a public good, while it will continue to be the highest quality water in Europe.
As announced by the Environment Ministry, the major project is “Evrytos”: the partial diversion of Krikeliotis and Karpenisiotis rivers toward Evinos, which will protect Attica for the next 30 years.
Specifically, as Mr. Papastavrou mentioned, climate change is intensifying water scarcity today, while we are at one of the lowest points of water availability. The measures are being implemented immediately across 7 strategic action axes and are aligned with our European commitments. These are measures that protect water supply for over 50% of the country’s population and organize the water management landscape.
EYDAP: tackling water shortage
During the event, before the Prime Minister, EYDAP President Giorgos Stergiou, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, and EYDAP CEO Haris Sachinis took the stage.
EYDAP President Giorgos Stergiou provided a historical overview, highlighting, among others, the role of El. Venizelos, who in cooperation with Ulen created the first water network in the capital, as well as Constantine Karamanlis, during whose time EYDAP’s comprehensive water management became reality. He also referred to the significant contribution of Prime Ministers Constantine Mitsotakis, who managed the water crisis of the early ’90s with absolute success, and Costas Simitis. Finally, he emphasized the role of current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the contribution of the company’s human resources.
EYDAP CEO Haris Sachinis emphasized EYDAP’s role and the value of Evrytos, which will cost around 500 million but with zero operating costs. “We will not leave Athens without water,” Mr. Sachinis said characteristically, while mentioning a “Plan B” with extensive desalination projects and highlighting leak reduction projects in the capital as well as water recovery. The most emblematic of all, he said, is Psittalia 3, adding that this year we have already increased our investments six-fold with twenty-fold absorption of funds.
Papastavrou: the seven axes of the plan
Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou announced projects worth 2.5 billion euros across seven axes, which are being launched to implement the water management plan to prevent the country from facing water shortage risks. As clarified, water is and will remain a public good, while it will continue to be the highest quality water in Europe.
As announced by the Environment Minister, the major project is Evrytos: the partial diversion of Krikeliotis and Karpenisiotis toward Evinos will protect Attica for the next 30 years. Specifically, as Mr. Papastavrou mentioned, climate change is intensifying water scarcity today, while we are at one of the lowest points of water availability. The measures being implemented immediately across 7 strategic action axes are aligned with our European commitments. These are measures that protect water supply for over 50% of the country’s population and organize the water management landscape.
Specifically, Mr. Papastavrou referred to the following:
The major project is Evrytos: the partial diversion of Krikeliotis and Karpenisiotis toward Evinos. This project symbolizes good, unimpeded flow [Εὖ + ῥέω] and will protect Attica for the next 30 years. The completion of the “Evrytos” project is estimated to occur in the first half of 2029 – approximately 4 years from today – and 100 years after the completion of the Marathon dam.
Simultaneously, EYDAP is implementing short-term actions aimed at immediate water supply protection for Attica. Among others, it utilizes and activates boreholes in Mavrosouvala, Ungri, and Boeotian Kifissos with a total contribution of approximately 150 million cubic meters of water per year once completed. If needed, according to Mr. Papastavrou, two significant medium-term projects are maturing: (a) The water lifting pipeline project in the External Water Supply System (EWS) for connection with desalination and (b) land-based Desalination: 87.5 million cubic meters/year. In parallel, the geographical expansion of EYDAP and EYATH in irrigation within their geographical jurisdiction is planned, while he mentioned a reformative first step in organizing 750 providers in a fragmented landscape.
According to Mr. Papastavrou, for these pillars to be strong, institutional reinforcements are needed that include: – Modernization of EYDAP and EYATH provisions, some of which have remained unchanged since 1980. – Employment and salary flexibilities that will unlock the potential of these companies, attract new executives, and enable EYDAP to fully implement an ambitious 2.5 billion investment plan. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Interior is proceeding with codification and improvement of legislation, aiming to rehabilitate the country’s 110 Public Water Supply and Sewerage Companies (DEVA) that are not absorbed by EYDAP/EYATH.
Overall, as the Environment Minister announced, 151 projects with a budget exceeding 320 million euros are already being implemented on more than 40 islands for water supply and sewerage improvements. From the major Chrysiida project in Corfu to Heraklion’s water supply, from desalination in Kastellorizo to two desalination plants in Amorgos, the Ministry supports immediate projects addressing problems faced by our islands.
Mitsotakis: “EYDAP will remain a state company”
The Prime Minister spoke last and initially mentioned that today’s decisions are significant. He emphasized that the majority of EYDAP belongs to the Greek State and this will not change. “EYDAP will remain a state company,” he said characteristically.
In detail, he said: “We reflect on the great weight of responsibility when leaders of previous periods made important decisions so that water remains adequate, quality, and affordable. The decisions presented today for the coming years of this company, which is 51% owned by the Greek State, are of great importance, and I repeat, this will not change. I remind you that in 2016 EYDAP shares ended up in the Superfund and by decision of this government they returned to the Greek State, where they will remain“.
He added: “Attica faces a very major problem regarding its water supply if it doesn’t take drastic measures. Hope is not a strategy and we must be ready for the worst-case scenario“. This involves transferring over 200 million cubic meters of water through natural flow (without pumping stations) from the Sikeliotis and Karpenisiotis rivers, which flow into Kremasta lake. “This project will ensure that for the next thirty years Attica will not face water supply problems,” the Prime Minister emphasized, recalling “the water crisis of the ’90s, which must never be repeated“.
The Prime Minister also said that EYDAP’s expansion beyond Attica is very important, as it enters irrigation water management, which represents a challenge of another order. “In conclusion,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, “our government’s commitment concerns protecting water as the supreme public good, it also concerns the categorical commitment that EYDAP will remain a public company, and that its investments will explore all funding sources to continue having the highest quality and most affordable water“.
“We will be very strict in monitoring compliance with related schedules. We will overcome whatever obstacles may stand before us to ensure Attica’s supply with clean, affordable, and quality water,” he emphasized.
