Pelion water management project dispute

A dispute has emerged in the Pelion region regarding a €25 million water management project proposed by DEYAMB. The project aims to divert water from the Agios Ioannis and Zanga springs to supply approximately 120,000 residents in Volos and Nea Ionia.

Local residents and protest committees in Agios Vlasios and Ano Lechonia have raised concerns that the Environmental Impact Assessment relies on inflated data regarding the springs’ annual discharge capacity. Critics argue that current water levels are already insufficient for local needs and warn of potential ecological damage to the nearby NATURA2000 protected area. While DEYAMB maintains the project has received positive opinions from 12 state services, locals contend the environmental approval was granted during the summer holidays to avoid scrutiny.

In response to the approval of environmental terms by the Thessaly Decentralized Administration, residents are preparing a legal appeal to the Council of State. Zoi Konstantopoulou, president of Plevsi Eleftherias, has taken on the legal representation for the residents of Agios Vlasios and Ano Lechonia to contest the project.