By Panagiotis Sabatakakis*

OR drought It is timely a natural phenomenon that shapes the climate and hydrological landscape of each country. It is nothing new, as in the past, the climate has had significant differences, without ever being characterized by absolute stability.

As reflected by scientific data, rainfall, especially in the last 40 years, have not followed stable standards. May the annual height of rainfall not show spectacular changes, however rainy intensity and the Reduction of snowfall They have a decisive influence on the management of water reserves. This change has a direct consequences both on superficial as well as in underground watersince during heavy rainfall, soil erosion increases and processes that enrich the aquifers become less effective.

Increasing needs and management deficiency

At the same time, the water needs In our country, they are constantly increasing in both the agricultural and domestic sectors. The proportion between the availability of water resources and needs determines the severity of the water scarcity. However, our approach to management and saving has structural shortcomings. Recent political initiatives have highlighted the country’s 19th position in Europe in terms of risk of water scarcity, with warnings that if existing consumer behavior continues, we will soon be at the top of the rankings.

It is noteworthy that the fact that the Greece It is in the first place, along with Italy, in the use of irrigation and water water per capita. The distance that separates us from countries with similar climate and rural conditions, such as Spain and Italy, must concern us about the effectiveness of management policies.

Despite continuous discussions at conferences, workshops and competent services on the need to control and modernize irrigation networks, bureaucratic anchors remain a thorn. These weaknesses inflate the waste and often lead to incorrect conclusions about the real needs of each region.

Need for substantial assessment and reduction of waste

Many areas of Greece are already characterized as high riskin terms of covering both their irrigation and water needs. A water management could have prevented the need for new, expensive infrastructure projects. The needs of water resources should be determined on the basis of documented data rather than arbitrary overestimation.

The implementation of EU Directive 2000/60, which is a key framework for water management, has not delivered the expected ones. Incomplete staffing of the competent services and the deficiency of scientific monitoring prevent proper management. It needs a deeper “internal” reorganization both on a technical and administrative level.

The need for a national strategic plan

Despite this year’s incomplete rainfall, the problems have a historical depth. The country has been up for decades to have put into application a National strategic plan With the priority of the manufacture of forth infrastructure and modern small and medium -sized networks, adapted to local needs. Such projects can be implemented faster and more efficiently if radical incisions in bureaucracy and the timing cycle of studies, construction and utilization.

Greece’s geographical and hydrogeological dispersion favors the design of a multi -reservoir manufacturing program in the coming years. Implementing such an ambitious plan requires political consensussocial understanding and scientific documentation. The obvious, which unfortunately have not been implemented so far, must now be a national goal.

* Panagiotis Sabatakakis is a Doctor of Hydrogeology at the University of Bologna, a member of the International Hydrogeologian Association and Director of Water Resources of IE.

Attached is a photo of Panagiotis Sabatakakis, which he gave to RES-EIA.