Urban Water Management in Greece

Abstract

Greece, a developing Mediterranean country in Southeastern Europe, faces serious water problems. A series of geomorphological, meteorological, and hydrological conditions, in addition to the particular social, economic, and administrative circumstances are currently making sustainable water management a rather complex, difficult, and frustrating task. Present water resource management practices have proven insufficient to integrate both socio-economic development and environmental ecosystem integrity. The results of a survey on the economic and demand management aspects of the urban water policy in Greece are presented and evaluated in this paper. Water shortages, which occur mainly during the summer and especially on the islands, high water consumption rates, a wide variety of water pricing policies, lack of public participation, sectoral and fragmented rather than integrated water management, and the fact that water is considered to be a social commodity are only some of the findings of the survey. The present situation is evaluated and discussed, and the perspectives of a new, demand-oriented urban water management are investigated in an effort to shift urban water policy in Greece towards sustainability.