What changed
2026-08-02 17:25 UTC → 2026-08-07 05:18 UTC ·
added
removed
The Ministry of Environment and Energy’s After Parliament approved the water‑sector overhaul was approved by Parliament on 30 July 2026 (157‑131). It consolidates about 70 municipal water, wastewater and irrigation entities into 2026, the state‑owned utilities EYDAP (Athens) and EYATH (Thessaloniki‑Chalkidiki), expands their powers over supply, wastewater and river diversions, Ministry of Environment and creates Energy opened a public consultation on a draft National Water Strategy backed by up (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 €400 million tackle fragmented administration, financing gaps and the need for upgrades digital monitoring. Regional actors echoed the reform’s urgency: the Crete Development Organization and a €3.4 billion budget. The government says the reforms will cut Crete regional delegation highlighted climate‑driven water losses by up stresses, the need to 60 % and address Greece’s high water‑stress ranking. Opposition parties upgrade dams, reservoirs and a coalition of 17 NGOs, including WWF Greece irrigation networks, and Greenpeace, warn the governance ambiguities that the national bill threatens aims to resolve. In early July, the public character of water, risks commoditisation government briefed New Democracy MPs on expanding EYDAP and may breach EU law, citing proposed diversions EYATH to additional municipalities. A draft law (7‑9 July) detailed the consolidation of more than 735 providers into the Krikellopotas two utilities, earmarked up to €400 million for 103 infrastructure projects, and Karpenesiotis rivers. They also note the bill strengthens the Waste‑Management Authority (RAAE) introduced digitisation and pipe‑replacement measures to curb the Water‑Management Organisation estimated 70 % water loss. Local opposition sharpened. Mayors of Thessaly (ODYTH). PASOK’s Kostas Tsoukalas 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 legislation as a step toward commercialising a public good lack of scientific studies and pledged the risk of opening water resources to restore municipal control. In parallel, private participation. The government also linked the inaugural Rhodes | Water Dialogues (30 May 2026) reform to a settlement‑redevelopment framework (12 July) and announced a €200 €80 million programme to digitise water and wastewater networks, map assets, and deploy 120 new weather stations and micro‑satellites. EU officials warned that European water demand could outstrip supply by 40 % within a decade, urging faster licensing, desalination and institutional reforms. Commentary replace aging pipes in 36 municipalities (19 July). Law 5325/2026, published on 1 August 2026 argued the government’s broader neoliberal agenda could lead to water privatisation, higher prices 31 July, formally expanded EYATH’s exclusive water‑supply, sewage‑treatment and monopolistic practices, despite public assurances irrigation rights to the entire regional units of protecting water’s social character. 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.