Saving and Storage — The Answer to Water Shortage
“Years of accumulated mismanagement due to uncontrolled and excessive groundwater extraction have left a deep mark...,” notes P. Sabatakakis, MSc, PhD hydrogeologist and Director of Water Resources and Geothermal Energy at the H.S.G.M.E. (formerly IGME), in an interview with Eleftheria. He adds that “a long-term national plan” is required, aimed at properly managing reserves and developing “high-accuracy mapping,” since “until now, estimates were made both for the actual number of boreholes and the total volume of water extracted across the country, as well as within each aquifer system.”
Following the recent launch of groundwater borehole mapping in Thessaly by the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (H.S.G.M.E.), Mr. Sabatakakis discusses past unsuccessful efforts, the objectives of the new initiative, Thessaly’s leading role in this project, the current condition of the groundwater table, and the solutions needed to ensure sufficient water supply for today and the future.
* Mr. Sabatakakis, the H.S.G.M.E. recently began recording groundwater boreholes in the Municipality of Larissa and throughout Thessaly, in order to document, among other things, the amount of water extracted per use within the groundwater system. What is the current situation in Thessaly?
– “Thessaly has always been, particularly regarding the primary sector, a focal point for our country, significantly influencing agricultural policy. This is evident when considering certain indicators — agricultural land, irrigated areas, and added value. However, for at least three decades, Thessaly has also been at the center of attention for another reason: irrigation water shortage and management. Although not the only region in Greece facing such challenges, its scale makes it a matter of national concern. Rational management remains a key objective nationwide, requiring practical tools not for punitive purposes, but to accurately document water demand in space and time. This will enable the State, in collaboration with local authorities and communities, to plan and implement the necessary interventions that will ensure sustainable, long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.”
* Some have expressed concerns about this project, claiming that a national inventory of all water extraction points has already been completed under the National Electronic Register of Water Abstraction Points (E.M.S.Y.).
– “This program is not related to borehole licensing and predates the E.M.S.Y. It was designed in 2011 to improve data accuracy for Water Management Plans by identifying the exact spatial distribution of all boreholes (licensed and unlicensed), the quantities of groundwater extracted per hydrological system, the specific uses, technical features, and key water quality parameters, as well as to reassess the water potential of each aquifer system. Until now, both the true number of boreholes and the total extracted water volume — nationally and locally — were based on assumptions. Some may claim to have had accurate knowledge, but once this program is completed, they will be surprised by the findings. The emerging data are already significant. The high spatial density of recorded hydraulic points will also allow the creation of highly detailed maps covering multiple parameters beyond the scope of this discussion.
Regarding supposed overlaps between E.M.S.Y. and the H.S.G.M.E.’s S.A.M.Y. program, it should be clarified that E.M.S.Y. was created with the knowledge of the IGME by the National Water Secretariat (E.G.Y.) to facilitate S.A.M.Y. However, many E.M.S.Y. records, prepared by non-specialists, contain inaccurate or even implausible data. H.S.G.M.E. teams use and verify all available information from any source. Cooperation with municipal and regional authorities has been essential from the start and has proven successful everywhere. The most recent meeting between the H.S.G.M.E. team and the Municipality of Larissa is clear evidence of this. The project provides multi-level data and benefits for municipalities, regions, farmers, citizens, and, of course, the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the E.G.Y. The information package delivered to the E.G.Y. will enable improvements in groundwater management policy — for the benefit of both the environment and the public. There is nothing suspicious about this project; it simply records, with accuracy, something Greece should have initiated long ago, given its dry climate and irrigation needs. Collaboration with private borehole owners has been crucial and, so far, exceptionally positive, according to all H.S.G.M.E. field teams, which remain available to assist farmers and owners directly.”
CLIMATE CHANGE
* As the planet strengthens its defenses against the effects of climate change, one would expect rational water resource management to have already become a reality...
– “Rational water resource management has long been a pressing need in Greece and beyond. In the past, various mechanisms and legislative measures were created for the management and protection of this vital natural resource. Until 2003, seven ministries were directly or indirectly involved. From 1929 up to the implementation of Directive 2000/60, the Greek State issued over 190 laws concerning the use and management of water resources, excluding regional regulations. Yet, no expert can claim that rational water use was ever truly achieved. Since the 1970s, licensing restrictions for borehole spacing have existed without scientific justification, leading to widespread saltwater intrusion in many coastal aquifers — most severely on Aegean islands, where limited groundwater that could have met residents’ needs was overexploited or even commercially sold! This mismanagement of uncontrolled groundwater pumping has left a lasting impact that continues today. There are even municipalities that literally ‘buy’ water from private boreholes — purchasing a resource that belongs to the Greek State!
The ongoing effort, aligned with Directive 2000/60, aims to achieve sustainable water management. However, the Directive is not a magic wand that corrects all national inefficiencies. It provides a framework of 24 articles emphasizing that ‘...water is not a commercial product but a protected natural asset.’ Each EU member state is allowed to adapt implementation to local hydrological and climatic conditions, but the ultimate goal remains the same: gradual qualitative restoration of all surface and groundwater systems, while preventing further degradation where full recovery is not feasible. Key tools for monitoring quantity and quality include the ‘Management Plans’ and the ‘Monitoring Networks,’ which feed data into the central platform of the Special Secretariat for Water of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Greece uses the highest proportion of its total water withdrawals (83%) for irrigation compared to all other EU countries. While this is somewhat understandable due to our dry climate and steep terrain, it highlights the need for better water-saving measures. In many Mediterranean countries — and especially in Greece — small catchment basins and reduced summer flows have pushed farmers to rely heavily on boreholes since the 1970s. Yet, during peak irrigation season (May–September), aquifer recharge is much lower than during the wet period (November–April). The average wet-to-dry recharge ratio is about 2.2 to 1. Studies show that in many regions, local water resources would suffice if consumption were evenly distributed throughout the year. Since this is not the case, the solution lies in ‘holistic rational management,’ which requires timely construction of water storage infrastructure to retain wet-season surpluses for use during dry periods. This demands long-term planning — such infrastructure cannot be built overnight.”
1989–1990: THE MOST SEVERE DROUGHT IN GREECE
Climate change, already evident in Greece, has long signaled the need for such strategic planning. The 1989–1990 hydrological year recorded the most severe drought since modern rainfall measurements began in the late 19th century. Data from IGME at the time showed an average decline of over 40% in groundwater reserves of major aquifer systems nationwide, with even sharper decreases in river discharges. Since then, several other “dry” hydrological years have been recorded based on the Drought Index. It is doubtful whether Greece could endure another drought of similar magnitude today, given that both domestic and irrigation water demands have increased by more than 20% on average. Efficient use of wet-season water through well-planned storage infrastructure — properly located and sized, whether surface or subsurface — should form the backbone of a national, long-term water strategy. Such projects need not be monumental but should be targeted and scientifically justified. At the same time, reducing waste by all water users, including consumers, is crucial. Potential water savings are vast — in many regions, adopting modern irrigation techniques could transform local water balances from deficit to surplus, yielding significant environmental, energy, and economic benefits.”
* What is the cost of the program?
– “It is essentially a type of cadastral project, funded by the European Union and implemented by a public institution with minimal cost and exceptional accuracy. A small portion of fieldwork will be assigned to private consultants through public tender, under H.S.G.M.E. supervision. The cost per recorded borehole by the agency is lower than that assigned to external consultants, demonstrating H.S.G.M.E.’s (formerly IGME) capability to operate efficiently even under difficult conditions — not competitively, since that is not its role. In closing, we wish to thank the Mayor of Larissa, Mr. Apostolos Kalogiannis, and the Municipality’s representatives for their excellent cooperation. Larissa is among the most important municipalities in Greece in terms of borehole construction and operation, making it a key area for evaluating the progress of this program. The outstanding results of our recent meeting in May give us even greater confidence to accelerate implementation.”
Source: Eleftheria / Interview by Lena Kissavou