Greece faces major water challenges amid heatwave and tourism surge
Officials indicated that under the worst-case scenario, continued inadequate rainfall and snowfall attributed to climate change could cause Athens' water reserves to enter the red zone within four years.
TroibNews 
Mornos artificial lake, situated about 150 kilometers northeast of Athens, has been a crucial source of water for Greece's capital for many years.
The construction of a dam on the Mornos River in 1979 led to the inundation of the village of Kallio, rendering it submerged. This summer, Kallio re-emerged from the water as the lake's levels have receded.
Data from the National Observatory of Athens indicates that in July 2023, the lake covered an area of 16.6 square kilometers, while this July, it shrunk to 12.8 square kilometers.
Similar declines in water resources have been observed throughout Greece, with several islands already suffering shortages. The looming crisis is intensified by a prolonged drought and reduced precipitation and snowfall.
On a recent Tuesday, the Environment and Energy Ministry declared a 30 percent reduction over the past two years in the water reserves at Mornos and three other main reservoirs supplying greater Athens, now holding around 703 million cubic meters.
With half the population of Greece residing in the greater Athens region, these figures present significant concern.
"There was low rainfall, and in particular snowfall, during the winters of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024," explained Dimitrios Emmanouloudis, a professor at Democritus University of Thrace.
He emphasized the role of snow in generating underground water reserves that help supply water during the summer months.
Further strain has been placed on resources due to unusually high temperatures since March and a sharp rise in tourism, with Greece hosting over 30 million visitors annually.
To manage the increased demand, especially in the heavily visited Athenian area, the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP S.A.) has tapped into Lake Yliki and other sources.
Authorities caution that without a shift in climatic conditions, Athens might confront critical water shortages within four years.
"We are maybe reaching the yellow zone, but there is no way the capital will be left without water," assured Emmanouloudis, who remains hopeful of a return to normal weather soon.
The government's action plan includes investments in infrastructure to reduce leakage, enhancing desalination plants, and improving the reuse of treated water for agricultural purposes.
Although no strict water usage restrictions have been imposed like in the early 1990s, officials are encouraging conservation.
"Approximately once in a decade, the lake (Mornos) goes through such a phase. The worst crisis was in 1993," noted Kostantinos Koutsoumbas, deputy mayor of Dorida.
Despite the current 40-meter drop in water levels, Koutsoumbas expressed more concern for the future impact of climate change than the current situation.
The emphasis on water conservation by both individuals and tourists was highlighted by Emmanouloudis. Koutsoumbas also called for awareness and responsible water consumption among locals and visitors alike.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
The construction of a dam on the Mornos River in 1979 led to the inundation of the village of Kallio, rendering it submerged. This summer, Kallio re-emerged from the water as the lake's levels have receded.
Data from the National Observatory of Athens indicates that in July 2023, the lake covered an area of 16.6 square kilometers, while this July, it shrunk to 12.8 square kilometers.
Similar declines in water resources have been observed throughout Greece, with several islands already suffering shortages. The looming crisis is intensified by a prolonged drought and reduced precipitation and snowfall.
On a recent Tuesday, the Environment and Energy Ministry declared a 30 percent reduction over the past two years in the water reserves at Mornos and three other main reservoirs supplying greater Athens, now holding around 703 million cubic meters.
With half the population of Greece residing in the greater Athens region, these figures present significant concern.
"There was low rainfall, and in particular snowfall, during the winters of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024," explained Dimitrios Emmanouloudis, a professor at Democritus University of Thrace.
He emphasized the role of snow in generating underground water reserves that help supply water during the summer months.
Further strain has been placed on resources due to unusually high temperatures since March and a sharp rise in tourism, with Greece hosting over 30 million visitors annually.
To manage the increased demand, especially in the heavily visited Athenian area, the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP S.A.) has tapped into Lake Yliki and other sources.
Authorities caution that without a shift in climatic conditions, Athens might confront critical water shortages within four years.
"We are maybe reaching the yellow zone, but there is no way the capital will be left without water," assured Emmanouloudis, who remains hopeful of a return to normal weather soon.
The government's action plan includes investments in infrastructure to reduce leakage, enhancing desalination plants, and improving the reuse of treated water for agricultural purposes.
Although no strict water usage restrictions have been imposed like in the early 1990s, officials are encouraging conservation.
"Approximately once in a decade, the lake (Mornos) goes through such a phase. The worst crisis was in 1993," noted Kostantinos Koutsoumbas, deputy mayor of Dorida.
Despite the current 40-meter drop in water levels, Koutsoumbas expressed more concern for the future impact of climate change than the current situation.
The emphasis on water conservation by both individuals and tourists was highlighted by Emmanouloudis. Koutsoumbas also called for awareness and responsible water consumption among locals and visitors alike.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
