The need to create broader partnerships and mobilize institutional representatives, bodies and society, in order to address its crucial issue immediately water scarcityThe speakers highlighted at the event of the “Water Alliances” initiative, which had the theme “Strategies to deal with water scarcity: prevention and preparation”. The event, co -organized by EYDAP, the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), the TMEDE and the Institute of “We Are Greece”, was opened by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou.
Mr Papastavrou, after pointing out the timelessness of the issue, described it as a matter of national priority and noted that planning and expenses were required to resolve it. He also set three pillars to deal with water scarcity: efficiency, as he typically pointed out “there are more than 750 water management bodies and this is ineffective”, finding additional financing resources, and saving water, through and raising awareness.
Taking the word, The President of the TEE, George Stasinos He noted that it was crucial to make an effort, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Religions and Sports, in order for the younger generations to understand the issue. He added that a timetable is needed, and the objectives are achieved immediately and within a specific time period.
In the value of human capital and the need to submit all parties involved in their know -how and experience to give solutions to water scarcity, it focused The Chairman of the Board of Directors of EYDAP, George Stergiou. “The trunk of the alliance must be the people who manage water,” he said. He also referred to the issue of irrigation, saying that focus is also needed in this area.
The role of technical companies and financial tools for the implementation of the projects required, highlighted in his speech Konstantinos Makedos, President TMEDEsaying that their contribution to the issue of water scarcity is critical, as the networks are already aged, which must be combined with modern and innovative solutions. To emphasize the severity of the issue of water scarcity, he noted that 34% of the population and 40% of the EU area has been affected by water scarcity, at a cost of € 9 billion a year.
On his side, The founder and president of the “We Are Greece” Institute, Antonis GiannikourisHe proposed that aquatic alliances be operated as a coordination hub between the state, a self -government, a scientific community, a private sector and the civil society across the country, to increase the funding for new critical infrastructure projects and at the same time to systematically maintain the existing ones, resources.
Then there was a discussion on “Greece’s readiness to drought – local and international dimensions – examples”.
Petros Varelidis, Secretary General of Natural Environment and WaterMinistry of Environment and Energy, said there is no rainy -rainy equilibrium between western and southern Greece, as the former has high rainfall levels and the second much less. Mr Varelides stressed that infrastructure projects are needed, especially in Attica. “We need both long -term and short -term measures because water ends,” he noted, adding that by 2030 for water projects and not sewage, at least 10 billion euros are required.
EYDAP CEO, Harris Sachinishe pointed out that there is 225 million cv water deficits. and are added reserve reservoirs and drilling that can contribute to 75 million km, according to EYDAP’s existing plan, but at high energy costs. As an effective solution, he presented the interconnection with the lake of Kremastas that fivefold stocks at zero operating costs to meet most of the needs, and – if the hanging interconnection is slow – there is a quick intermediate water transport solution. He described as significant, but at high energy costs. “We are considering the use of recycled water in the long run, which is still rejected at sea for irrigation and industrial use,” he also said. He presented the projects implemented by EYDAP by 2029, which relate to the optimization of the operation of the water supply network with the aim of reducing leaks, budget of € 170 million, and mass replacements of obsolete water meters and supply and installation of smart cash, budget of 122 million euros.
On his side, John P. Kmiec, Manager Tucson Water USA He talked about the Central Arizona Project which solved the water proficiency problem in an arid area. Focusing on water recycling, artificial underground installations (such as Cavsarp and Savsarp), the implementation of wide school education and information programs and the incentive to save water, the Tuson area has achieved a remarkable decrease in consumption and improvement. In his presentation he highlighted the combination of technology, education and participatory policy as a model of sustainable water management for anhydrous areas internationally.
Former General Manager The Israel Water Authority, Giora Shahampresented the Israeli water resource management model as an example of a holistic approach to conditions of limited natural resources and climate instability. Through a combination of technologies of saving, sewage reuse, desalination, pricing policy that reflects the actual costs of strict regulations and long -term planning, Israel, an anhydrous country, has managed to meet the increased needs while investing in innovation and education.
Coordinator was Booky Oren, President and CEO Booky Oren Global Water Technologieswho noted that a vigilance and information is needed. “Without aware that water is over, people will not make decisions, it needs to be understood by all the population of Greece,” he said. He added that it took 40 years in the US to resolve water scarcity so that today, even in the middle of the desert, there were stocks for another 100 years. “In Israel,” he said, “it took 25 years to regulate the issue.”