New Desalination Projects Approved to Address Water Scarcity on Leros

Today, at a special event at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Minister, Mr. Stavros N. Papastavrou, signed the decision to include island municipalities in the "Drinking water supply and water management interventions" programme of the "Drinking water supply and water management" axis of the Sectoral Development Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The event was also attended by the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, the Regional Governor of South Aegean, Mr. Giorgos Chatzimarkos, and the MPs of the New Republic, Dodecanese, etc. Giannis Pappas and Manolis Konsolas, Magnesia, Mr. Christos Triandopoulos and Christos Boukoros, Zakynthos, Mr. Dionysis Aktypi and Heraklion, Crete, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis.

Also attended were the Mayors of Naxos and Small Cyclades, Mr. Dimitris Lianos, Amorgos, Mr. Lefteris Karaiskos, Skopelos, Mr. Stamatis Perissis, Alonissos, Mr. Panagiotis Anagnostou, Zakynthos, Mr. Giorgos Stasinopoulos, Viannos, Mr. Pavlos Baritakis and Mr. Timotheus of Leros Kottakis.

The Mayors of Rhodes, Mr. Alexandros Koliadis and Mr. Nikos Komineas, of Astypalaia made an intervention via teleconference. The General Secretary of Natural Environment and Waters of the Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Petros Varelidis, also participated.

This programme finances 10 projects in 9 island municipalities with a total amount of more than 15 million euros.

With these new projects, the water supply conditions in the beneficiary municipalities are improved, as a reduction in water leaks is achieved through the repair and upgrade of outdated networks, the water supply of areas is increased through the construction of new networks, and sufficient water supply is ensured in areas facing water shortage phenomena through the installation of new desalination units, as well as the construction of the relevant supporting projects.

In particular:

🔹In the Cyclades, existing water supply networks are being improved in Naxos and a water supply tank is being built in Amorgos. 🔹In the Dodecanese, desalination units are being installed in Astypalaia, water supply networks are being repaired and constructed in Rhodes and desalination units are being installed with their accompanying works in Leros. 🔹 In the Sporades, networks are being upgraded in Skopelos and supporting desalination projects are being carried out in Alonissos. 🔹 In Eptanisa, a drinking water treatment plant is installed in Zakynthos 🔹 In Crete, networks are being upgraded in Viannos.

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, after signing the decision, said: "Today, within the framework of the 'Drinking Water Supply and Water Management' axis of the Sectoral Development Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, we signed the financing of 10 projects on 9 islands of the country, which concern the improvement of infrastructure and water supply networks.

Today's signature is not a piecemeal intervention. It is part of an overall policy for the responsible management of water resources, with planning, cooperation and emphasis on the areas facing the greatest pressures. It follows the National Water Strategy that we put up for public consultation the day before yesterday.

And before the Bill to address the fragmentation of water service providers, which is imminent.

The Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has proven that it stands by the region and especially our islands. Not with words, but with actions. With resources, with projects and with interventions that improve everyday life"

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