Greece Plans €2.5 Billion Investment to Address Severe Drought and Secure Water Supply

Amid a severe drought threatening Greece's two largest cities and many islands, the government announced a €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion) investment plan over the next decade to secure water supplies, particularly for the Attica region and Thessaloniki. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the urgency of preparing for worst-case scenarios to ensure water security for the next 30 years, with the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) remaining publicly owned. The plan includes the Evrytos project, which will divert rivers to bolster the Evinos reservoir, new drilling sites to increase supply in the short term, and medium-term strategies such as desalination and water transfers. Water reserves have dramatically declined, with Attica's main reservoirs holding significantly less water than previous years, raising concerns of shortages within two years if rainfall does not improve. To fund these initiatives, household water bills will increase by 2 to 3 euros monthly, though tariffs will still be among the lowest in the EU. This comprehensive approach aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change and drought across Greece, including vulnerable regions like Crete and the Aegean islands.