Greece launches €3.4 bn water reform with 901 projects and new regulator
The Greek government has unveiled a comprehensive national water‑management strategy during the second year of its current term. The plan calls for 901 water‑supply and sewerage projects that will be implemented in more than 170 municipalities – roughly one‑in‑two local authorities – with a total investment of €3.4 billion.
The reform is built on four pillars: (1) financial and technical strengthening of municipalities and water‑infrastructure works; (2) creation of a unified National Water Strategy through extensive consultation with local governments and scientific bodies; (3) consolidation of the fragmented water‑service sector by expanding the mandates of the two major publicly‑controlled utilities, EYDAP and EYATH, to achieve economies of scale; and (4) use of EU expertise and funding mechanisms.
A new Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY) will supervise providers, enforce cost‑recovery and pricing rules, and, from 1 January 2025, all water providers must submit a master plan detailing future water sources and investment priorities. The legislation also introduces transparent tariff structures, protecting vulnerable households. The overhaul aims to curb water losses that in some areas reach 50‑60 %, improve resilience to drought and climate change, and replace the current fragmented management model with a coordinated system.
Entities: EYATH (Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company) · EYDAP (National Water Supply Company of Athens) · Greece · Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy · Ministry of Environment and Energy · National Water Strategy · Public water companies EYDAP and EYATH · Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY) · Union of Municipal Water Enterprises (EDEYEA)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 14 SOURCES] The Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY) will supervise water service providers and oversee pricing. (mentioned in Greek articles describing institutional changes.)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The projects will be implemented in more than 170 municipalities, about one in every two local authorities. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] EDEYEA and KEDΕ have objected to compulsory mergers of municipal water utilities with EYDAP and EYATH, calling them unconstitutional. (multiple articles)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The reform rests on four pillars: municipal strengthening, a unified National Water Strategy, consolidation for economies of scale, and use of EU expertise and funding. (outlined in the Greek policy documents and repeated in many articles.)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The Greek government announced 901 water supply and sewerage projects covering over 170 municipalities. (supported by multiple Greek articles (e.g., 97943116, 4497cc8a, 4ce4d20c, 502d7e36).)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The draft bill would force EYDAP and EYATH to expand into neighboring areas, raising concerns about indirect privatisation and higher water tariffs. (multiple articles)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The total investment for the water projects is €3.4 billion. (cited in Greek coverage of the reform (e.g., 4497cc8a, 4ce4d20c).)
- [● 14 SOURCES] From 1 January 2025 water providers must submit a master plan detailing future water sources and investment priorities. (stated in Greek regulatory framework articles.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The parliamentary committee approved the bill expanding EYDAP and EYATH’s jurisdictions, with the majority of lawmakers voting in favour. (recorded in parliamentary reports and news coverage of the vote.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] EYDAP and EYATH will remain publicly controlled but will have their service areas expanded to include additional municipalities, including up to 17 towns in Attica. (reported in multiple Greek press pieces describing the bill’s territorial expansion.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Water losses in Greece can reach 50‑60 % in some areas due to leaks, theft and unbilled supply. (cited by Greek officials and water‑sector analyses.)