Greek islands face drought as tourist season hits

Greek islands face drought as tourist season hits Seven Greek islands in the Aegean Sea have declared drought emergencies this year to conserve water amid rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall linked to climate change. The situation has intensified as the summer tourist season begins, placing additional strain on limited resources. Authorities are now grappling with whether the upcoming rainy season will provide relief, given the critical state of freshwater supplies. Astypalaia, a butterfly-shaped island located east of the mainland, has been particularly affected. It relies heavily on bottled water for drinking and has not benefited from the relatively wet winter conditions in northern and western Greece, which brought the country its wettest winter since 2022. For Astypalaia, the current season marks the second driest since 2020, according to local data. Mayor Nikos Komineas described the scarcity, noting that if all the annual rainfall were collected in a bucket, it would measure just 2.5 centimeters. The island's sole water reservoir, a man-made lake constructed in the mid-1990s, is surrounded by dry hills and sparse vegetation, highlighting the severity of the crisis. Local farmers, such as Evdokia Palatianou, have faced severe challenges. In April, authorities restricted access to the lake to prioritize domestic and tourism needs, forcing Palatianou to rely on brackish water from her well. At 71 years old, she expressed concern over future planting cycles, stating she would not resume farming unless rain returns. The lake, which serves both residential and agricultural areas, currently holds approximately 150,000 cubic meters of water, about a sixth of its total capacity. With summer consumption averaging around 900 cubic meters per day, the reserve could last roughly five and a half months under normal conditions. To address the shortfall, authorities initiated a temporary desalination plant in Chora, the island’s capital, capable of producing 600 cubic meters of fresh water daily. This facility aims to support the growing population during peak tourist season. However, it comes at a cost, and officials remain cautious about long-term sustainability. Komineas admitted that if the rainy season fails to replenish the reservoir, farmers in Livadi, the island’s primary agricultural area, may remain disconnected from water sources until autumn. The Copernicus European Drought Observatory highlighted the worsening conditions, marking Astypalaia in orange on a drought map in June. In response, residents and businesses have adapted. At the seaside village of Analipsi, sheep and goat farmers transport water to their properties or use low-quality borehole water. A desalination plant serving the village struggled to meet demand as the population surged from 1,400 to 7,000 during the high season. To cope, a second temporary facility was established in Chora, pending the completion of a permanent plant scheduled for late this year. Hoteliers on the island have also taken steps to reduce water usage. Carolina Alkalai, owner of a hotel in Chora, introduced a €5 discount for guests who opt out of daily room cleaning services. She noted that customers have accepted the offer enthusiastically. Alkalai also plans to build a second hotel featuring a cistern designed to collect rainwater rather than traditional pools or spas, further emphasizing efforts to promote sustainable practices. In addition to local initiatives, national government support is underway. Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou has allocated €15 million for desalination projects, infrastructure upgrades, and water storage systems across nine islands, including Astypalaia. The funding includes 1.5 million euros specifically for the island. In June, Papastavrou presented these strategies to fellow environment ministers in Luxembourg, underscoring the importance of water security for economic stability and community welfare.