Greece forced to import water to drought stricken Aegean islands

Dozens of drought stricken Greek islands in the Aegean are being forced to import greater amounts of water every year.

Faced with a water shortage crisis on its hands, the Greek government is currently trying to tackle the problem by importing millions of cubic metres of water to the islands of Milos, Nisyros, Amorgos, Koufonisia, Shinoussa, Folegandros, Tinos, Sikinos, Thirasis, Donoussa, Patmos, Symi, Halki and Palionissos.

Charalampos Theopemptou, the Cypriot Commissioner for the Environment, insists the Mediterranean will be the worst affected by climate change because of the increase in temperatures and the decrease in rainfall.

In the height of the tourist season, many of the Greek islands, however, are not receiving the imported water the government has promised.

Dozens of islands in the eastern Aegean have been promised desalination plants to solve the problem, but until now the government has failed to deliver.

The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus is currently trying to tackle its water shortage problem with household rationing and importing 8-million-cubic-metres of water in tanker ships from neighbouring Greece.

It is also trying to build two desalination plants which have been on the drawing board for years.

The Kouris Dam, the main source for the pipeline serving the districts of the capital Nicosia and the southern regions of Limassol and Larnaca, is now less than one per cent full.