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Water crisis hits Greek islands amid tourist boom

• 05.08.2024
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Water crisis hits Greek islands amid tourist boom

29/07/2024

The Greek islands are experiencing drought conditions as they gear up to host a record number of summer tourists, increasing the pressure on water supplies, reports Reuters. Greece attracts millions of tourists annually with its ancient sites and beautiful beaches. However, the impacts of climate change, including higher temperatures, erratic rainfall, and wildfires, threaten the country's tourism-dependent economy.

This year has been particularly challenging. After experiencing its warmest winter on record, Greece saw wildfires starting unusually early. Last month, heatwaves resulted in the deaths of at least six tourists.

A state of emergency has been declared over water shortages in several islands: Sifnos in the Cyclades, Leros in the Dodecanese Islands, Sami in Kefalonia, as well as in parts of Crete. Water levels are also low in the peninsula of Attica, where Athens is located. Earlier this month, Greek Navy ships carried water to Leros to meet basic needs, according to local news.

The largest reservoir on the island of Naxos has dried up, while seawater intrusion into irrigation wells has wreaked is affecting the island's potato crops. Furthermore, on Karpathos island, authorities have restricted swimming pool refills, while officials on Thasos island are seeking a desalination unit to convert seawater into drinkable water.

"There has been an intense shortage of rainfall across the Mediterranean, and on Naxos particularly, our surface reservoirs are empty," said Dimitris Lianos, mayor of Naxos. The situation is dire on this island of 20,000 residents. Its two reservoirs, holding 220,000 cubic meters of water, are down to just a third of last year's levels. Three portable desalination units will cover the needs of households, hotels, and pools. However, farmers must rely on wells contaminated by seawater, severely affecting crop yields.

Climate experts are concerned about the future. Andrea Toreti, coordinator of the European and global drought observatory of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, emphasized the need for proactive measures. "We need to avoid thinking in an emergency mode, instead looking at prevention and preparedness," Toreti said. In fact, experts have blamed the rise in construction activities and the unchecked use of swimming pools for exacerbating water shortages on the islands.

Countries across the Mediterranean, including Spain and Italy, are also grappling with water shortages and turning to desalination. However, high demand has led to a scarcity of units. Greece-based manufacturer Sychem reported a shortage of key components and longer building times, with new units expected after September.

Source: https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/smart-water-magazine/water-crisis-hits-greek-islands-amid-tourist-boom?utm_source=Smart+Water+Magazine&utm_campaign=47a172783c-SWM_Weekly_05082024&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8200831b52-47a172783c-305026585