Greece announces a 2.5 billion euro plan over ten years to combat water shortages, especially in Athens and on the islands, in the context of severe drought.

The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented on Thursday an ambitious plan of 2.5 billion euros, aimed at addressing the water shortage problem in Athens and the surrounding regions, as well as in the Greek islands. This plan comes in response to the prolonged drought and climate changes affecting water reserves. Mitsotakis emphasized the need to be prepared for the worst-case scenarios, stating that hope is not a viable strategy.

The plan includes strengthening the water reservoirs in Athens and desalination works for tourist islands, which are facing an acute water shortage, especially during the summer season. The Minister of Energy and Environment, Stavros Papastavrou, warned that Greece ranks 19th in the world regarding the risk of water shortage and that reserves have decreased by 250 million cubic meters annually, in the context of a 25% decrease in precipitation and a 15% increase in evaporation. Eydap, the water distribution company, has urged residents to monitor water consumption during the heatwave in the summer of 2024.