The water shortage issue in Attica, Greece, the region around the country’s capital, is becoming increasingly severe, with water reserves currently reduced to less than half compared to the same period in 2022.

Notably, from February 17 to March 17, the daily extractable water reserves from the reservoirs supplying Attica were approximately 665 million cubic meters per day. This represents a decrease of about 26% compared to the same period last year when daily reserves were around 900 million cubic meters per day.

Moreover, the difference is even greater when comparing today’s reserves in the EYDAP reservoirs- the key reservoirs serving the Athens region- with those from February 17 to March 17, 2023. During that period reserves reached 1.1 billion cubic meters per day, and the respective figures for 2022 and 2021, which were around 1.3 billion cubic meters per day. In other words, within three years—from 2022 to today—reserves have been reduced by nearly half.

The Largest Water Losses

According to statements made to “Oikonomikos Tachydromos” by the Director of the National Meteorological Service, Mr. Thodoris Kolydas, at the start of the current hydrological year (which always begins on October 1), rainfall levels were very low, particularly in October and November. Despite a winter that generally saw normal rainfall and snowfall, “the water, as it seems, was unable to replenish the lost reserves in the Evinos and Mornos basin,” the meteorologist emphasized.

The most significant water losses are recorded in Mornos. Specifically, the extractable reserves per reservoir on March 17, 2025, and March 17, 2024, were:

  • Mornos: 350 million cubic meters yesterday, down from 500 million cubic meters on the same day last year.
  • Evinos: 25 million cubic meters yesterday, compared to 54 million cubic meters last year.
  • Marathon: 20 million cubic meters yesterday, down from 22.7 million cubic meters last year.
  • Yliki: 262 million cubic meters yesterday, compared to 355.5 million cubic meters last year.

To ensure Attica’s water supply under the new conditions created by the climate crisis and recurring prolonged droughts, the Greek government, in collaboration with Greece’s largest water and waste water management company EYDAP, say they have developed an ambitious yet essential plan since last year to secure water sufficiency for the capital region. This plan includes immediate interventions and long-term solutions to bolster water reserves, utilize alternative sources, and raise consumer awareness.

Projects to Secure Athens’ Water Supply

Specifically, to maintain the sufficient supply of the Attica Basin through natural flow without the need for pumping, urgent projects are being expedited to connect the Krikeliotis and Karpenisiotis rivers to the Evinos reservoir, ensuring water sufficiency even in extreme conditions.

At the same time, the Yliki pumping stations have been activated, and the Mavrosouvala boreholes are being modernized and reactivated. Additionally, the possibility of utilizing underground aquifers along the Mornos aqueduct, including the Boeotian Kifisos, is being explored to minimize reliance on Evinos-Mornos reservoir reserves.

The most significant water losses are recorded in Mornos

Meanwhile, the potential use of brackish water from exploitable deposits in the wider Mornos aqueduct area (e.g., in Kirra) is under investigation, as well as the feasibility of using seawater desalination facilities, for which relevant studies are underway.

To immediately strengthen the water supply system in case of delays in planned projects, a plan is being prepared to transport water from the Achelous River. The water will be transported by sea using specialized tankers from the port of Astakos to the ports of Aspropyrgos and Thisvi, from where it will be pumped into the water supply network.

At the same time, efforts to inform consumers, local government agencies, and industries about water-saving measures continue. Special emphasis is being placed on replacing potable water with non-potable water (untreated or recycled) in applications where feasible, except for human consumption and hygiene.

Source: OT.gr