However, water management in Greece is plagued by significant infrastructure issues, with approximately 50% of drinking water lost due to leakages and outdated piping systems.

Government data highlights that regions like Argolida in the Peloponnese are particularly affected, losing about one-third of their drinking water because of these systemic problems, which have been exacerbated by a decade-long financial crisis.

This situation is part of a broader challenge in the European Union, where drought affects about one-third of the population annually, prompting member states to address water leakage before legally binding limits are enforced.

Greece's main water sources, including Mornos, Evinos, Marathon Lake, Yliki, and Palaio Souvala Springs, are interconnected and managed based on demand, but their sustainability is now in question.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Greek government has allocated €18 million to support 19 municipalities in critical projects aimed at combating water shortages, including the installation of desalination units and drilling of wells.

Concerns are mounting as alarmingly low water levels at Lake Marathon, a crucial freshwater reservoir for Athens, have revealed a visible islet due to the declining waters.

In light of these challenges, Christos Stamos, the Deputy Mayor of Marathon, reassured residents that Lake Marathon serves primarily as an auxiliary reservoir, with the majority of Athens' water sourced from the Mornos and Evinos reservoirs.

Greece is bracing for a potential water crisis as a prolonged drought that began in the summer of 2024 continues to affect the region.

Petros Varelidis, General Secretary for Water Resources, has emphasized the severity of these water leakage issues and their detrimental impact on local communities.

The ongoing drought is not only straining water supplies but is also adversely affecting agricultural yields and industrial productivity, underscoring the urgent need for improvements in water management.