EYDAP is on alert, considering various scenarios to address the capital’s water supply problems in case of a prolonged drought even though the existing reserves in the reservoirs are sufficient for four years.
According to reports, the preliminary study for the transfer of water from the two rivers that flow into the Lake Kremasta has already been advanced.
At the same time, discussions have begun with major electricity producers such as the PPC and the Mytilineou Group and others for the construction and operation of 3 or 4 desalination units since desalination requires high electricity consumption.
One desalination unit, if the discussions with PPC proceed, may be located in the Lavrio area.
The other two or three on the Corinthian Gulf side and along the water transport pipeline from Morno to Athens.
Relevant EYDAP officials told APE/MPE that the cost of water from desalination is significant and reaches €1 per cubic meter while today EYDAP charges 0.35 cents per cubic meter.
In any case, both solutions are relatively time-consuming and will take at least three years to become operational.
The same EYDAP officials stressed that the fastest and most advantageous low-cost solution is the transfer of water from the Kremasta lake, which can have results and strengthen the network in less than three years if, of course, there are no appeals to the Council of State for environmental or other reasons, resulting in the project being delayed.
The project is relatively easy and will of course require tunneling to get the pipeline through, but something similar has been done in the past with the transfer of water from the Evinos dam to the Mornos network.
According to EYDAP officials, all possible solutions are being examined in order to solve the problem of the capital’s water supply once and for all. The final decisions will be taken by the competent Ministry of Environment and the government.