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24 clusters · 72 sources · 118 days · First seen · Last updated

Greek water reform bill passes amid privatization concerns

Overview

On 30 July 2026, the Greek Parliament approved a water-management bill (157–131 votes) expanding the authority of public utilities EYDAP and EYATH. Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou defended the reform, citing inadequate current models and contamination risks—including uranium and bacteria—in Chalkidiki and Volvi. He dismissed privatization claims as “3+1 fake news,” asserting the goal is to ensure safe, publicly-controlled supply and reduce water loss.

However, opposition remains intense. PASOK spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas argued the expansion violates constitutional protections for municipal autonomy. Environmental groups, including WWF Greece and Greenpeace, warned the law could lead to commodification and may breach EU law by authorizing river diversions toward Attica. Critics also linked the reform to a broader pattern of neoliberalism, suggesting the government is treating water as a market commodity.

Following the vote, Law 5325/2026 was published, granting EYATH exclusive water and sewage rights in Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki until 2038, with implementation expected by July 2027.

In tandem with the legislative overhaul, EYDAP has advanced several major infrastructure tenders. On 2 September 2026, the utility re-launched a €124 million tender for a wastewater treatment plant in East Attica to serve Rafina, Pikermi, Spata, and Artemida, following the cancellation of a 2023 process due to legal disputes. Additionally, on 25 September 2026, EYDAP awarded a €50.2 million contract for the Marathon Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated pipelines to the consortium of ‘Gkoliopoulos A.T.E. - Giovanni Putignano & Figli S. R. L.’, securing the bid with an average discount of 17%.

Entities

EYDAP · EYATh · Greek Parliament · Greek government · Municipal Water and Sewerage Enterprises (ΔΕΥΑ)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 7 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    EYDAP awards 50.2 million euro wastewater project in Marathon

    EYDAP has awarded a 50.2 million euro contract to the Gkoliopoulos A.T.E. - Giovanni Putignano & Figli S. R. L. consortium for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Marathon, Greece.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    EYDAP re-launches 124 million euro wastewater project in East Attica

    EYDAP has re-opened the 124 million euro tender for a new wastewater treatment plant serving Rafina, Pikermi, Spata, and Artemida in East Attica, following the cancellation of a previous attempt.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    EYDAP launches international tender for Psyttalia wastewater upgrade

    EYDAP has launched a €9.3 million international tender for the Psyttalia III wastewater project, amid a broader wave of over €1.1 billion in strategic public contracts in Greece.

  4. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    EYATH expands water and sewage services to Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki under new law

    Law 5325/2026 extends EYATH’s water and sewage monopoly to Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki, adds irrigation duties, and prolongs its exclusive rights to 2038, with full rollout by July 2027.

  5. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek Government Moves to Privatize Water Supply

    Articles claim the Mitsotakis government plans to privatize water, echoing earlier privatizations of utilities and warning of higher prices and monopoly.

  6. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    PASOK spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas warns against water privatization and fire service cuts in Crete

    PASOK's Kostas Tsoukalas criticised the government's plan to weaken Crete's fire service and to commercialise water by expanding EYDAP and EYATH, pledging to restore water control to local authorities.

  7. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 21 sources
    Greek Parliament approves water‑management bill expanding EYDAP and EYATH

    Greek Parliament passed a water‑management bill (157‑131) expanding EYDAP/EYATH powers, amid claims it risks privatising water, river diversions, and protests from NGOs.

  8. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Greek Environment Minister Papastavrou defends water reform bill

    Greek Minister Staurós Papastavrou backs a water reform bill, citing contamination in Chalkidiki and Volvi, expanding public utilities, and refuting claims of privatisation or job cuts.

  9. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek water sector faces criticism over draft reforms and delayed Argolida irrigation project

    Greek officials denounce water reforms and a stalled Argolida irrigation project, citing lack of studies, consultation and years of delays.

  10. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 10 sources
    Greek government pushes water sector reform bill to consolidate utilities

    Greece’s water reform bill merges providers into two public firms, launches a national water strategy, allocates €3.4 bn for projects and faces opposition over concerns of profit‑driven water management.

  11. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek Parliament considers water sector reform for Thessaloniki‑Chalkidiki

    Greece's draft law would merge Thessaloniki‑Chalkidiki municipal water services into public company ΕΥΑΘ, spending €160 m on new sources and plant upgrades, amid strong local opposition and potential legal bids

  12. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Greek water utilities EYDAP and EYATH to gain expanded authority

    Greece's new water law expands EYDAP and EYATH's jurisdiction, strengthens regulation, and seeks to modernise ageing infrastructure and improve service efficiency.

  13. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Nikos Androulakes slams Greek water bill, says government treats local officials as accomplices

    PASOK‑Change head Nikos Androulakes criticized Greece's new water‑management bill as undemocratic, claiming it forces mandatory water‑company mergers and treats local mayors as accomplices.

  14. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Greece launches plan to cut water loss as 70% of supply leaks from aging networks

    Greece's new water‑reform law targets the 70% loss in its supply network, consolidating 735 entities, funding €80 million for pipe upgrades and digital monitoring under the first National Water Strategy.

  15. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Greek Chalkidiki Mayors Oppose Water Service Transfer Bill

    Chalkidiki mayors in Greece reject a draft law to shift water, sewage and irrigation services to E.Y.A.T.H., citing loss of local control, price risks, and lack of consultation.

  16. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Greek Environment Ministry launches settlement redevelopment and water sector reforms

    Greece's Environment Ministry unveiled reforms for redeveloping depopulated villages and expanding state water utilities, with new funding rules and a €142 million water infrastructure program.

  17. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 12 sources
    Greek water sector overhaul expands EYDAP, EYATH under new law

    Greece’s water reform law consolidates 735 providers into EYDAP and EYATH, expands their territories, absorbs 68 entities, allocates €400 million for upgrades and tackles fragmentation, drought and cost issues.

  18. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek water management reform plan discussed with New Democracy MPs

    Greek minister Stavros Papastavrou briefed New Democracy MPs on a water reform bill that will merge 70 providers into EYDAP and EYATH, expanding services to improve water quality and affordability.

  19. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greece launches National Water Strategy to address water scarcity and overhaul providers

    Greece's draft National Water Strategy, now under public consultation, targets water scarcity, governance delays, and expands EYDAP and EYATH's roles to unify a fragmented sector.

  20. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Greece launches public consultation on National Water Strategy

    Greece's Ministry of Environment and Energy has opened a public consultation on a National Water Strategy, outlining three pillars—water as a right, climate resilience, and modern governance—to improve water‑s​

  21. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek Ministry Launches Public Consultation on National Water Strategy

    Greece's Ministry of Environment opens a public consultation on its new National Water Strategy, focusing on water security, climate resilience, and modern governance until July 22.

  22. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Crete Region Highlights Role in Climate Adaptation and Water Management

    Crete’s regional adviser stressed the frontline role of regions in climate adaptation and water management, presented the 2022 adaptation plan, and urged better national recognition, citing new EU support tools

  23. 4 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Crete Development Organization presents water resilience plan at Athens forum

    At an Athens water‑resources forum, Crete’s Development Organization, led by CEO Aris Papadogiannis, outlined climate‑driven challenges and presented plans to boost resilience of dams, reservoirs and irrigation

  24. 4 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Rhodes Water Dialogues Address Water Scarcity and Flood Risks for Greek Islands

    Greek ministers and experts met in Rhodes for the first Water Dialogues, focusing on climate‑driven water scarcity, flood risks, digitalisation of water networks and EU‑backed resilience measures.

Sources

agrinionews.gr · alfavita.gr · argolikeseidhseis.gr · athina984.gr · biskotto.gr · businessdaily.gr · capital.gr · cnn.gr · dealnews.gr · dimokratia.gr · dimokratianews.gr · dimokratiki.gr · e-thessalia.gr · efsyn.gr · emvolos.gr · energygame.gr · enikonomia.gr · enikos.gr · epixeiro.gr · ethnos.gr · flamis.gr · flashnews.gr · haniotika-nea.gr · imerazante.gr · insider.gr · irafina.gr · iskra.gr · kefaloniamagazine.gr · larissanet.gr · larissapress.gr · lawforall.co.za · makthes.gr · marketnews.gr · militaire.gr · myportal.gr · nabu-bw.de · naftemporiki.gr · newmoney.gr · news.gr · newsbeast.gr · newsbomb.gr · newsit.gr · nokappa.it · ot.gr · paron.gr · pasok.gr · politik.gr · pontosnews.gr

This summary has been updated 13 times: see revision history