Greek islands deal with water shortage crisis

With fears that affected islands will receive insufficient winter rainfall, aquifers are under pressure to perform well in the coming months.

As Greece faces a water shortage crisis, the country’s government is looking to a new solution: renewable energy-powered desalination.
Greece’s water crisis has been aggravated by climate change and the huge increase in tourism within the country.
Water scarcity has become a critical issue for many islands such as Naxos, Mykonos, Kynthnos and Serifos.
Now, to cover costs for energy-intensive desalination units, renewable energy sources are being proposed.
One planned €50 million project was discussed during the Small Islands Conference on the Greek island of Milos.
“There is a plan from the general secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy for the smaller as well as the larger islands,” said Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Stefanos Gikas.
“We have identified 250 projects that are necessary so that we do not face a water shortage problem in 2025.”
An estimated 51% of the population in the Cyclades drink desalinated water, but scientists have expressed doubt about its quality.
The strategic agenda adopted by the European Council for the next five years commits to strengthening water resilience across the EU, while also investing in abundant cross-border infrastructure for water.