Does Athens have a wastewater treatment plant?
Athens and Thessaloniki, which discharge into sensitive areas, have wastewater treatment plants with nitrogen removal. The wastewater treatment plant of Athens, located on the island of Psyttaleia, was put into service in 1994, followed by a sludge treatment plant that became operational in 2007.
What are the water and wastewater tariffs in Athens and Thessaloniki?
Water and wastewater tariffs in Athens and Thessaloniki are increasing-block tariffs under which higher tariffs are charged for higher blocks of consumption. For a consumption of 20 cubic metres per month, the residential combined water and wastewater tariff was €1.20 per cubic metre in Athens and €1.59 per cubic metre in Thessaloniki in 2013.
Where does Athens get its water from?
While Athens receives its water from a series of reservoirs, some of which are located 200 km away, some small islands are supplied with water from tankers. Greeks have suffered from repeated droughts, the most recent one occurring in 2007.
How does Lake Mornos supply water to Athens?
Lake Mornos, created by a dam that was initially built for local water supply, is now partially diverted to supply Athens with drinking water.
When was the toilet invented in Greece?
The Greek pipes just get clogged. They don‘t call them 'modern conveniences' for nothing. Toilet paper wasn't invented until the 1900s, and Greece is an ancient civilization. The ancient Greeks were modern for their time. A Minoan king of Crete invented the first flushing toilet more than 2,800 years ago.
Is tap water safe to drink in Greece?
In Athens and Thessaloniki, the tap water is perfectly fine to drink. These cities are supplied by reliable and clean systems. The same can't be said of the islands where quality and purity can vary significantly. Many still rely on groundwater wells and because of frequent drought there‘s often insufficient supply.
Is there spring water in Greece?
Natural spring water in Greece. Because it's a mountainous country, there are many springs and natural water sources all over Greece. Many villages have elaborate taps for these. You may see locals filling up large containers to take home for use. You may even be offered spring water in some cafes and restaurants.
Can you put toilet paper down the toilet in Greece?
In most places throughout Greece you can't put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, you must put your toilet paper in the bin beside the loo. So long as the bins are tightly closed and emptied daily, the health risks are minimal to anyone who uses this method. But why is this the situation in Greece?
Why is Athens a water source?
Because local water sources are insufficient and to hedge against the risk of drought, the metropolitan area of the capital Athens, where more than a third of the population of Greece lives, is supplied by five different water sources, the most distant one located almost 200 km away. The five sources are:
What are the two utilities in Athens?
In Athens and Thessaloniki, two state utilities – EYDAP and EYATH – are in charge of water supply and sanitation. The companies, which are listed on the Athens stock exchange, post profits despite low tariffs, partly due to investment subsidies from the state. Outside the two largest cities, 230 different municipal utilities are in charge ...
How was Lake Mornos created?
Lake Mornos, created by a dam that was initially built for local water supply, is now partially diverted to supply Athens with drinking water. The Mornos reservoir 192 km to the west of Athens with an operational capacity of 670 million cubic metres, tapped since 1980 through a system of tunnels and canals.
Why did the EU support wastewater treatment plants?
The EU supported the construction of numerous wastewater treatment plants since the 1990s in order to achieve EU environmental standards. While the wastewater discharge of the biggest cities is now in compliance with these standards, some smaller towns still lag behind.
How many boreholes are there in Evinos reservoir?
the Evinos reservoir with an operational capacity of 113 million cubic metres, completed in 2001, and linked via a tunnel with the Mornos Reservoir. 105 boreholes in three wellfields that are used only in emergency situations. Due to the need to pump large quantities of water over long distances and mountains, the water company ...
What is the role of the Ministry of Environment in Greece?
Policy responsibility. Within the Greek government the Ministry of Environment is in charge of water resources management and the Ministry of Interior is in charge of supervising municipalities which are responsible for providing water and sanitation services. The Ministry of Finance plays an important role in providing subsidies for investment.
When was Kallikratis plan approved?
The so-called Kallikratis plan approved in May 2010 foresees the redrawing of the boundaries of Greek municipalities and giving them more resources and responsibilities. Under the plan, which is to become effective as early as January 2011, the number of DEYAs is expected to be reduced through mergers from 230 to 142.