The practical concern of the Government for modern management of municipal wastewater throughout the territory, especially in small settlements of less than 2,000 inhabitants, is signaled by the decision of the Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekasby which the financing for 51 projects total budget of €408,499,600.33 included in its Action Recovery Fund 2.0 “Treatment and purification of urban sewage, environmentally sensitive settlements”. This is the third subcategory of projects. In the previous two sub-categories, funding was approved for a further 34 projects, bringing the total number of urban waste water management projects to be financed by the Recovery Fund to 85.

The 51 projects concern infrastructure in the country’s settlements with less than 2,000 inhabitants. Most of the settlements, a total of 53, which will acquire modern urban wastewater management infrastructures, either with new networks that will be connected to existing wastewater treatment facilities (WTPs), or with new WTPs and new networks, have more than 1,000 inhabitants.

The Recovery Fund milestones are inflexible and envisage the contracting of the projects by the end of 2023 and their completion by the end of 2025.

The projects concern facilities and networks in the Municipalities of Thira, Sikyonia, Nafplio, Chania, Kythira, Corfu, Amfikleia – Elateia, Komotini, Nestos, Tempo, Agrini, Kilkis, Istiaia Edipsos, Aegialia, Nea Propontida, Veria, Tanagra, Trikkaia, Thermo, Pyli, Pangai, Kalamata, Delphi, Livadia, Xiromero, Stylida, Emmanuel Pappa, Alonissos, Corinth, Kamena Vourla, Xylokastro – Eurostini, Kymi – Aliveri, Lamia, Aristotle, Zagori, Volos, Mouzaki, Phaistos, Amorgos, Pella, Lefkada, Lesvos, Milos, Naoussa, Zagora, Doridos, Marathon and the Holy Community of Mount Athos.

THE Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekasmade the following statement:

“It is a non-negotiable decision of the Government to create modern infrastructures for the management of municipal wastewater throughout Greece. The extension of this policy to settlements with less than 2,000 inhabitants proves once again that for the Government, the balanced creation of such infrastructures and the care for areas that once constituted the ‘forgotten Greece’ is a priority. We will uncompromisingly continue this policy for as long as Greek men and women trust us.”

THE Secretary General of Waste Management Coordination, Manolis Grafakosstated:

“The existence of the necessary infrastructure for the management of urban wastewater contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of citizens and is a prerequisite for the protection of the environment. The management of yesterday’s municipal wastewater is gradually giving way to a modern management, compatible with the Community directives. Today, a total of more than 120 projects for settlements of more than 2,000 inhabitants are being implemented in the country, another 31 are in the tender process, while another 29 projects are expected to be auctioned in the next four months. Along with the 85 projects that are planned to be implemented from the Development Fund resources, all the urban wastewater management infrastructures that are being executed and launched, amount to 265 projects that when completed will significantly increase the level of environmental protection, while also creating facilities with reduced energy requirements and the possibility of using the treated water for irrigation needs”.