At today’s event marking the 100th anniversary of EYDAP, held at the Goulandris Museum in Kifissia, key announcements are expected regarding the growing issue of water scarcity—a topic recently discussed at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister at the Maximos Mansion.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to attend. At the same time, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and EYDAP CEO Haris Sahinis will outline the government’s short-, medium-, and long-term plans to safeguard water reserves for Attica, Thessaloniki, and other high-risk regions.

According to officials, if immediate action is not taken, Attica could face severe water shortages as early as the summer of 2026. The lack of significant rainfall so far this autumn and forecasts for a snowless winter have raised concerns, with recent images of the Mornos Reservoir at critically low levels underscoring the urgency.

Papastavrou and Sahinis are expected to present specific projects and investments—including new drilling operations, desalination plants, and the development of Lake Kremasta. Some of these projects will be implemented immediately, with a horizon toward 2027, while others form part of a long-term plan extending to 2047. The integrated program, exceeding €2 billion, will draw funding from both national and EU resources. In addition to Attica and Thessaloniki (and nearby Halkidiki), Thessaly—which needs substantial irrigation water—and the Greek islands, where consumption spikes during the tourist season, are also priorities.

Tariff Adjustments on the Way

Modest increases in water tariffs appear inevitable, as new infrastructure projects aimed at ensuring long-term water security will require significant funding. For Attica, the expected rise is estimated at €2–3 per month, though officials emphasize that the priority is implementing the necessary projects, with pricing policies adjusted accordingly.

According to reports, both EYDAP and EYATH (Thessaloniki Water Company) support the tariff adjustments, as both utilities are facing or approaching deficits. EYDAP reported losses of over €5.5 million in the first half of the year, and similar concerns have been raised for EYATH unless corrective measures are taken soon.

Last Thursday, Minister Papastavrou met with officials from the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste, and Water (RAEWW) to review progress on the new water pricing framework.

Finally, both EYDAP and EYATH are expected to play a central role in the new water management strategy, with expanded responsibilities and operational scope. For now, the earlier idea of merging all regional water utilities appears to have been put on hold.