Drinking Water

The most important asset for human survival is water. Proper management and disposal are very important parameters. Many times during the summer months, taking a holiday on an island or more simply in the village, frequent water drops are happening. What is due? Incorrect management by households, which in the summer months are full of family members, and therefore, there is overexploitation of water. More specifically, in many places, water is stored in a central tank, through which homes get provided with water. If the tank gets empty, the water supply will be -at first- reduced and after a little will be completely cut. However, if its irreparable mood for irrigation and cleanliness is reduced, then this phenomenon will be reduced.

But what happens when you go to an island and the quality of the water is unsuitable for consumption? More specifically, such islands in Greece are Naxos, Milos, Patmos, Kimolos, Amorgos, Lipsi, Sikinos, Folegandros, Kastelorizo, Leros, Iraklia, Donousa, Agathonisi, Agistri, Elafonisos , Hydra and Symi (Panormitis area). The State is necessarily driven to the very expensive water transportation, where in the Cyclades is provided by EYDAP at the price of 0.4880 € / m3 and the Dodecanese are supplied with drilling by Rhodes and are not charged (CRES, 2015). The General Secretariat of the Aegean estimated that the installation of 10 desalination plants will address the majority of issues.

The data from the General Secretariat of the Aegean showed that in 2014 the state sent water with aquifers to 7 islands in the Cyclades and 5 in the Dodecanese. The largest quantities were taken by Patmos, Kimolos, and Koufonissi. Water transport is a safe solution, but at a particularly high cost. Characteristically, in 2006-2014, 71.3 € millions were spent on water transport on the dry islands, while the required projects to meet infrastructure needs are estimated at 3.1 € millions. In 2014 the price of water transported ranged from: 10.5 € / m³ for the Aegean islands and 2 € / m³ for the Saronic islands, while for 2015 prices remained the same, but the quantities of transported water decreased (CRES, 2015). Nowadays, desalination units exist on several islands. More specifically, some of them are: Agistri, Amorgos, Patmos, Milos, Syros, Schinousa, Mykonos, Paros, Oia and others.

Figure 1. Desalination unit in Kastelorizo (Enikonomia, 2018)

The existence of sufficient quantity of drinking water is vital and everyone should have equal opportunities to access it. Desalination facilities are necessary for residents and tourists of island Greece. Proper maintenance - by people with the relevant know-how - is essential for the smooth operation of the units.

Bibliography

 

CENTER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND SAVING (2015). Ανάκτηση June 21, 2018, from http://www.sealab.gr/download/attachments/16482634/Tzen_Session+2.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1447593671000

Enikonomia. (2018, April 17). Retrieved June 21, 2018, by Δύο νέες μονάδες αφαλάτωσης θα εγκαινιάσει ο Αλέξης Τσίπρας στο Καστελόριζο: http://www.enikonomia.gr/timeliness/185740,dyo-nees-monades-afalatosis-tha-egkainiasei-o-alexis-tsipras-sto-.html