Greece is grappling with a severe water crisis, a consequence of a scorching heatwave that has left many islands parched. Just weeks after experiencing its earliest ever heatwave in June, parts of the country are facing severe water shortages. A state of emergency has been declared in Sifnos in the Cyclades, Leros in the Dodecanese Islands, Sami in Kefalonia, and parts of Crete. Islanders are demanding urgent intervention as their water supplies dwindle. The peninsula of Attica, which encompasses Athens, is also experiencing low water levels.
On the island of Naxos, the largest reservoir has run dry due to low rainfall and scorching temperatures, reaching up to 40°C. The situation has been aggravated by poor infrastructure and a lack of maintenance of desalination units on the islands. In some regions, wildfires have further contributed to the problem. A June blaze on Serifos destroyed part of the island’s water supply network, leaving it with its lowest water reserves in 20 years. With peak water supply and irrigation needs, agricultural areas have been particularly hard-hit as dams struggle to meet their demand. Some farmers are forced to rely on wells contaminated by seawater due to low water levels.
The tourist season, in full swing, is further straining resources. Increased construction and the uncontrolled use of swimming pools have contributed to the water shortage on the islands, according to Elissavet Feloni, a hydrologist and lecturer at the University of Western Attica. Last month, the world experienced its hottest month on record, marking the 13th consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures, according to the European climate service Copernicus. It also marked the 12th month in a row that the world was 1.5°C warmer than pre-industrial times, a stark reminder of the impact of human-caused emissions.
With the dry conditions expected to persist in the coming months, Feloni has called for stricter controls on water consumption and tighter government monitoring. Some islands have already taken proactive measures. Karpathos and Serifos have imposed bans on topping up swimming pools. In Viannos, Crete, strict limits have been placed on water usage for irrigation. The tiny Dodecanese island of Lipsi, demonstrating a sustainable approach to tourism, banned the construction of swimming pools in the summer of 2023. Meanwhile, the northern island of Thassos is investing in a desalination plant to convert seawater into drinking water.
In areas where a state of emergency has been declared, processes for transferring water, improving supplies, and accessing government funding have been expedited. Three new wells are planned in Crete, while the navy has shipped water to Leros, according to local news reports. The water crisis in Greece highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management practices and the critical impact of climate change on water resources.
