We, the undersigned environmental organizations, call for the immediate withdrawal of the Draft Bill concerning the “expansion of the powers” of the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company S.A. (EYDAP S.A.) and the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYATH), the strengthening of the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY) and the Thessaly Water Management Organization S.A. (ODYTH S.A.), as well as other related provisions."

The regulations governing water supply companies do not provide solutions to the real problems of water management: understaffing, underfunding, and skyrocketing energy costs for water supply, sewer, and irrigation agencies, leaks, aging infrastructure, overpumping, unregulated consumption, and the lack of a comprehensive plan for the protection, reuse, recycling, and conservation of water resources. Instead of strengthening existing public and municipal agencies and placing them under social control to ensure the sustainable management of water resources, responsibilities, infrastructure, financial obligations, and critical decisions are being transferred to larger corporate and supralocal entities and to regulatory mechanisms that are distant, both literally and figuratively, from the lives and needs of local communities and nature.

In this way, the principles of subsidiarity and proximity, as well as transparency and accountability, are violated, since water-related issues will not be managed at the local, and therefore more direct, level, but according to private-sector economic criteria, transforming water from a vital public good into a commodity, with serious consequences such as increased costs, the deterioration of environmental management, and the endangerment of both public health and other forms of life that depend on water.

Also of particular concern is Article 35 of the bill, which essentially provides institutional legitimacy for a completely paradoxical and unsubstantiated project, namely the diversion of water from the natural rivers Krikelopotamos and Karpenisiotis toward Attica. Despite the claimed justification that this diversion is a measure to address water scarcity, it nevertheless constitutes a deviation from the institutionally binding process for the application of EU law regarding the proper, scientifically substantiated, and transparent management of valuable aquatic ecosystems. The legislative pre-approval of a project that has not been justified or substantiated through the recently approved River Basin Management Plans is an extremely alarming development. We recall that a similar attempt to legally “regularize” the diversion of the Achelous River had been made in the past, but it was overturned by the courts.

We call for the cancellation of river diversion plans and the immediate launch of a national water policy that is based on the protection and restoration of valuable aquatic ecosystems, the proper implementation of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, and the prioritized implementation of nature-based solutions throughout the country. In the midst of a climate crisis, continuing to misuse and squander water resources is a recipe for disaster.

We, the undersigned environmental organiσations, join our voices with all consumers, workers, farmers, municipalities, local communities, and every citizen who defends water as a public good, a prerequisite for life, and a common right.

Environmental organizations (in alphabetical order):
1. ARION –Cetacean Rescue and Care Research Center
2. Action for Wildlife
3. ELLINIKI ETAIRIA - Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage
4. Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature
5. Hellenic Ornithological Society
6. Greek Network Friends of Nature
7. Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace
8. Society for the Protection of Prespa
9. KALLISTO, Environmental Organization for Wildlife and Nature
10. Mamagaia, Environmental Organization
11. Ecological Recycling Society
12. Citizens' Association for the protection of Streams «ROI»
13. iSea, Environmental Organisation for the Preservation of the Aquatic Ecosystems
14. MEDASSET – Mediterranean Association to save the Sea Turtles
15. MedINA – Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos
16. Greenpeace Greece
17. WWF Greece