In recent months, the area of the artificial lake at Mornos has drastically reduced due to a combination of factors: a lack of rainfall, soaring temperatures, and an unusually mild winter with limited snowfall in the mountains. According to an analysis by the METEO unit of the National Observatory of Athens, based on data from the European Sentinel-2 satellite, the lake’s surface area has shrunk from approximately 16.8 km² in August 2022 to just 12.0 km² by August 2024—a reduction of 15-20% compared to the average since 2010. This marks one of the smallest recorded areas since high-resolution satellite observations began.
The drought is starkly reflected in official data from the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP). On August 24, 2023, the total water stock in the region’s reservoirs was 952,549,000 cubic meters. A year later, on August 23, 2024, this figure had plummeted to 699,167,000 cubic meters.
Petros Varelidis, General Secretary of Natural Environment and Water at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, warned: “We are currently facing a deficit of 150 million cubic meters of water each year. If this trend continues, Attica’s water reserves may only last for another five years.”
In response, the ministry issued a statement detailing the gravity of the situation and outlining the steps being taken. The four reservoirs supplying Attica—Evinos, Mornos, Marathon, and Yliki—have seen their combined reserves fall from 1,158,127 million cubic meters in August 2022 to just 703,339 million cubic meters by August 2024.
To address the shortage, EYDAP has reactivated 17 wells, primarily in the Mavrosouvala area, and plans to tap into wells along the Boeotian Kifissos river. Water from Yliki, previously held as a reserve, is now also being utilised. These measures are expected to contribute an additional 75 million cubic meters per year. However, this still leaves an annual deficit of 150 million cubic meters, with current reserves projected to last only about four more years if the drought persists.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy, in collaboration with EYDAP, has developed a roadmap to secure water resources for the coming years. Planned measures include reducing losses in water supply networks, diverting water from rivers that feed Lake Kremasta, integrating new reservoirs, using recycled water for irrigation and industrial purposes, enhancing underground aquifers with recycled water, optimising stormwater management, and expanding desalination efforts using renewable energy sources. Should conditions worsen, the ministry may also introduce water conservation measures.
EYDAP continues to provide Attica with some of the highest-quality water in Europe and has committed to a 10-year investment programme (2023-2032) worth €2.1 billion to bolster the resilience of water resources.
“Ensuring Attica’s future water supply and maintaining the quality of drinking water depends heavily on rainfall forecasts for the coming years and decades,” said Minister of Environment and Energy Thodoros Skylakakis. “We are already studying these projections using new, high-precision climate models, and will have results by the end of the year. Based on these findings, we will design an appropriate mix of medium-term projects that may include utilising existing water resources in Central Greece, expanding desalination, and making use of rainwater and treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial purposes. Even in the most extreme scenarios, Attica will be able to cope with reduced rainfall, supported by our ongoing transition to renewable energy.”
The government urges all citizens to participate in water conservation efforts to help manage the reserves responsibly and avert the worst outcomes of the ongoing drought.
______________________________________________
Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.
Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.