One of the key topics of this year’s Elafonisos Eco Week was “Waste and Water Management.” During the conferences on the first day, Petros Varelidis, Secretary General for Natural Environment & Waters – Ministry of Environment and Energy, acknowledged the serious challenge of water scarcity in Greece, especially on islands like Elafonisos.
He praised Enrico’s continued efforts to address sustainability and noted the growing difficulty of securing water due to prolonged droughts and rising demand from tourism.
He explained that 85% of Greece’s water is used for agriculture, with only a small fraction for drinking and industrial use. The lack of rainfall, paired with increasing tourism, puts intense pressure on local water systems. He stressed that water availability directly affects a region’s growth potential.
He supported the idea of desalination as a key solution – particularly reverse osmosis systems powered by photovoltaics to keep energy costs low. He emphasized that desalination plants are easy to install, can produce high-quality drinking water, and could be funded quickly if Elafonisos presents a mature, ready-to-implement plan.
However, he noted broader funding challenges: Greece will need over €10 billion by 2030 to address irrigation and water infrastructure needs, yet current EU funds are already committed. He called for new national solutions, including better management, smarter investments, and more capable local water suppliers.
The speaker pointed out that small or remote places often struggle to recruit technical staff, complicating operations of desalination and wastewater treatment plants. He urged collaboration between local governments, citizens, and the state to find tailored, flexible water solutions, while acknowledging that no single approach fits all.
He closed by encouraging ongoing pressure from local administrations and communities to ensure water security remains a priority at the national level.