Greece launches plan to cut water loss as 70% of supply leaks from aging networks

In Greece, roughly 70% of potable water is lost before reaching consumers due to leaks, outdated pipes and fragmented management. The Ministry of Environment and Energy reports that only 30% of the water entering the distribution system actually reaches taps.

The government has introduced a bill to consolidate the 735 separate water‑service entities into a few larger operators and has tied the reform to the country's first National Water Strategy. More than €80 million has been earmarked for pipe‑replacement and network modernisation projects in 36 municipalities, with a focus on digital telemetry and rapid investment rollout.

The reforms aim to curb water waste that intensifies during the tourist‑heavy summer months and to safeguard supplies amid climate‑driven reductions in available water resources.