# Greek water reform bill faces continued political opposition > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greek-islands-waterresilience-initiatives > Updated: 2026-08-06T08:48:45.000Z. Sources: 67. Developments: 21. After Parliament approved the water‑sector overhaul on 30 July 2026, the Ministry of Environment and Energy opened a public consultation on a draft National Water Strategy (June 21‑24). The strategy frames water as a fundamental right, stresses climate‑resilient prevention and risk management, and calls for transparent, data‑driven governance aligned with EU directives and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It seeks to tackle fragmented administration, financing gaps and the need for digital monitoring. Regional actors echoed the reform’s urgency: the Crete Development Organization and the Crete regional delegation highlighted climate‑driven water stresses, the need to upgrade dams, reservoirs and irrigation networks, and the governance ambiguities that the national bill aims to resolve. In early July, the government briefed New Democracy MPs on expanding EYDAP and EYATH to additional municipalities. A draft law (7‑9 July) detailed the consolidation of more than 735 providers into the two utilities, earmarked up to €400 million for 103 infrastructure projects, and introduced digitisation and pipe‑replacement measures to curb the estimated 70 % water loss. Local opposition sharpened. Mayors of Chalkidiki (16 July) and PASOK‑Change leader Nikos Androulakes (20 July) condemned compulsory mergers, warning of reduced municipal autonomy and higher tariffs. MP Dimitris Mavidis (27 July) added criticism over the lack of scientific studies and the risk of opening water resources to private participation. The government also linked the reform to a settlement‑redevelopment framework (12 July) and announced a €80 million programme to replace aging pipes in 36 municipalities (19 July). Law 5325/2026, published on 31 July, formally expanded EYATH’s exclusive water‑supply, sewage‑treatment and irrigation rights to the entire regional units of Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki, with implementation slated for July 2027. The reform proceeds amid sustained political resistance while the state maintains that water remains publicly owned. ## Claims - The bill expands the authority of EYDAP and EYATH over water supply and wastewater management. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Opposition parties claim the bill attempts to privatise water. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The water‑management bill was introduced by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Minister Stavros Papastavrou said the current water‑management system has exhausted its limits. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Greece ranks 19th globally and second in the EU for water‑stress risk. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The Greek Parliament approved the water‑management bill with 157 votes in favor and 131 against. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Seventeen environmental organisations, including WWF Greece and Greenpeace, called for the bill’s withdrawal, saying it turns water into a commodity. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The bill authorises diversion of the Krikellopotas and Karpenesiotis rivers toward Attica, which NGOs claim breaches EU law. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The bill includes provisions to strengthen the Waste‑Management Authority (RAAE) and the Water‑Management Organisation of Thessaly (ODYTH). (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eyath-expands-water-and-sewage-services-to-thessaloniki-and-chalkidiki-under-new-law ### 2026-08-01: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-government-moves-to-privatize-water-supply ### 2026-07-31: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pasok-spokesperson-kostas-tsoukalas-warns-against-water-privatization-and-fire-service-cuts-in-crete ### 2026-07-30: 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. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-water-bill-faces-withdrawal-demands-from-17-environmental-groups ### 2026-07-29: 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. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-environment-minister-papastavrou-defends-water-reform-bill ### 2026-07-27: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-water-sector-faces-criticism-over-draft-reforms-and-delayed-argolida-irrigation-project ### 2026-07-24: 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. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-launches-comprehensive-water-sector-reform-to-tackle-drought ### 2026-07-21: 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 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-parliament-considers-water-sector-reform-for-thessalonikichalkidiki ### 2026-07-21: 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-water-utilities-eydap-and-eyath-to-gain-expanded-authority ### 2026-07-20: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikos-androulakes-slams-greek-water-bill-says-government-treats-local-officials-as-accomplices ### 2026-07-19: 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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-launches-plan-to-cut-water-loss-as-70-of-supply-leaks-from-aging-networks ### 2026-07-16: 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-chalkidiki-mayors-oppose-water-service-transfer-bill ### 2026-07-12: 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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-ministry-of-environment-and-energy-unveils-reforms-for-abandoned-settlements-and-water-managem ### 2026-07-09: 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. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-positioned-as-energy-hub-in-the-eastern-mediterranean ### 2026-07-07: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-water-management-reform-plan-discussed-with-new-democracy-mps ### 2026-06-24: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-launches-national-water-strategy-to-address-water-scarcity-and-overhaul-providers ### 2026-06-23: 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​ 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-launches-public-consultation-on-its-first-national-water-strategy ### 2026-06-21: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-ministry-launches-public-consultation-on-national-water-strategy ### 2026-06-19: 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 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crete-region-highlights-role-in-climate-adaptation-and-water-management ### 2026-06-14: 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 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crete-development-organization-presents-water-resilience-plan-at-athens-forum ### 2026-05-30: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rhodes-water-dialogues-address-water-scarcity-and-flood-risks-for-greek-islands --- Cite as: Greek water reform bill faces continued political opposition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greek-islands-waterresilience-initiatives