Escalating Water Scarcity on Greek Islands Amid Rising Tourist Influx
Tourism Surge and Minimal Rainfall Exacerbate Crisis, Prompting Urgent Calls for Conservation and Infrastructure Investment
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기사입력 : 2024.07.10 20:58
The Greek islands are grappling with an intensifying water scarcity crisis, exacerbated by an influx of tourists. As summer approaches, the strain on water resources is becoming more pronounced, with much of the country experiencing minimal rainfall.
On many islands, water scarcity is starkly evident as beach showers have been discontinued. Even without scheduled water supply interruptions, the pressure often remains insufficient due to heightened summer demand.
The situation is particularly dire on islands like Naxos, where water is crucial not just for residents and tourists, but also for livestock and agriculture. The lack of rainfall amplifies these challenges, making effective water management more critical.
Insights from Local Authorities and Experts
"Water is a precious public resource, with only 2.5% being usable and a mere 1% potable. It's vital that local authorities prioritize water infrastructure investments," stated Constantina Svinou, Prefect of Kos-Nisyros. “Despite the climate crisis, we still have an opportunity to safeguard our water resources.”
Ms. Svinou highlighted that while Kos does not currently face severe water scarcity compared to other Dodecanese islands, proactive measures are essential. "Patmos and Leros are already struggling, relying on desalination plants that are costly to maintain and produce limited water. Each destination requires a tailored approach to manage water consumption effectively," she told ERT.
Professor Kostas Fityanos from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki emphasized the broader regional impacts. "Mediterranean countries are battling drought, while northern Europe faces flooding. Greece is trending towards an African climate, with the Cyclades and Crete particularly at risk of desertification. In northern Greece, the situation is less severe, but bottled water remains a common recourse."
Sifnos Mayor Maria Nadali expressed urgent concerns. "By early June, it was clear that despite improved conditions from last year, the surge in tourist numbers from July to October would outstrip water production. We've requested a state of emergency to urge visitors to conserve water," she said.
A Widespread Concern
Water scarcity isn't confined to the typically dry Aegean islands. For the first time, Skala Kefalonia, one of Greece's greenest islands, experienced water outages in June, ahead of the tourist peak.
Depleting EYDAP Reserves
EYDAP's recent bulletin reveals a significant decline in water reserves. On July 10, 2024, reserves stood at 787,035,000 cubic meters, a sharp drop from 1,043,590,000 cubic meters on the same day in 2023, and even more concerning compared to 1,330,084,000 cubic meters in July 2015.
The growing water scarcity on the Greek islands underscores an urgent need for sustainable water management strategies and conservation efforts, especially as tourist numbers continue to rise.
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