“Bell” for water shortage meant in areas of the country, mainly on the islands, in view of the peak of the tourist season and in a context of minimum rain of the last few months.
Now, the Siphnos and the Leros declared a state of emergency, while in Attica there was also a decrease in stocks. The matter was referred to its publication and the Reuters agency.
“Particularly unfavorable hydrological situation” – “Yellow alert” in Attica
Speaking with Nautemporiki Channelhydrologist and professor at the University of West Attica, Elissavet Feloni, spoke of a “particularly unfavorable hydrological situation” and pointed to the high temperatures of recent months, combined with the lack of rain in the previous period.
Regarding Attica, he said that in September it seems that we will be called to increase the alert level, while stressing that the big problem is the islands. “The Basin is currently on yellow alert,” he stressed, adding that the data shows that reserves tend to decrease.
Regarding the islands, he spoke of the lack of infrastructure and the lack of maintenance of desalination units, but also of hypertourism, combined with the increase in construction and the uncontrolled use of water in swimming pools.
“As hydrologists say, dry years persist, temperatures rise and rainfall decreases, this period seems like it will last for another period”, he noted. He stressed that “we do not want rapid rains, because they do not have time to penetrate the soil, we want as much “layered” rain as possible, in contrast to the characteristic pattern of recent years”, while also referring to the reduction in snowfall in recent years.
He stressed that the issue of water management is linked to political will and said that consumption control and information campaigns are necessary. “My opinion is that a national body is needed”, he stressed and emphasized the need for a specialized center for water monitoring, so that we have a single data network.
“We are worried about next year”
In his speech to Naftemporiki TV, the Mayor of Naxos and Lesser Cyclades, Dimitris Lianos, said that the lack of rain in the last two years has caused a significant water deficit, with the municipality’s surface reservoirs having very few reserves. He noted that because the problem was identified early, a plan was put in place to produce water through desalination. He noted, however, that these are costly measures.
“It is important that we do not face any problems, based on the planning we have done for 2024. We are concerned about next year,” he stressed. As he mentioned, in addition to tourism activity, Naxos also has agricultural production. He also noted that targeted test drilling has been carried out in rural areas.
“The needs grow every year, both in the permanent population and also due to tourism, so planning is necessary,” he stressed. When asked about the matter, he said that there are no restrictive measures in the planning.
Commenting on the Reuters report, he said that water levels in Livadi, where there is a large potato production, have indeed receded. However, he noted that despite the problems, the potato production process is largely going well, although costs have increased for farmers.
Regarding tourism, he said that the local urban plan and land use planning for the entire country must be completed. “It is important to define land uses and settlement boundaries. It is the most important tool,” he stressed, adding that specific actions are needed to limit excessive water consumption.
Lipsi: Water autonomy, without organized beaches
Speaking on the “N” channel, the island’s president, Fotis Maggos, referred to the sustainable tourism development model developed by the people of Lipsi. As he said, “Deductive thinking works. We don’t have garbage bins in public places, we don’t have swimming pools and umbrellas on the beaches, and this makes our island completely different in the tourism approach and the way we want to see visitors. We think this is an authentic way to spend a holiday.”
Regarding the island’s water autonomy, with zero leakages, he stressed that he is in favor of a holistic approach to environmental issues. “It’s not just about water, it’s also about waste management, it’s the need to reduce the energy footprint, and water is probably the most basic pillar.”
Mr. Maggos highlighted that 10 years ago, when he was elected mayor, a desalination plant was put into operation. “This has meant that over the last 7 years the island has had 100% water autonomy, providing quality drinking water,” he noted.
He also mentioned that the network is being expanded by 8 kilometers, which means that houses built in the last 10 years outside the island’s settlement will have access to quality water.
At the same time, he stressed that by providing a telemetry system, leaks will be eliminated and the tanks and water quality, which will also be chlorinated, will be checked at all times. “This practically means that a small Aegean island with 800 inhabitants will turn on the tap and drink water, which is a rare phenomenon. It is a personal bet,” he stressed.