Acute water supply problem in Aegina

Question for written answer E-001182/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kostas Papadakis (NI)

A new fault in Aegina's undersea water supply pipeline, in the same place where a previous fault had occurred, has caused serious problems leading to Aegina being cut off from the EYDAP (Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company) water network with use of the pipeline being forbidden due to the unsuitability of the water.

Despite falsely reassuring promises from the Government and the local administration claiming that 'Aegina's water supply will be fully restored by the end of February', the problem remains acute. This situation shows that the State, the Government and the competent bodies - referring both to the current and previous administrations - are selectively unable to ensure the proper functioning and protection of an important but also very expensive project. This policy is underpinned by the EU's strategy of turning water into an expensive commodity, as it is managed on a commercial basis.

In view of the above, where does the Commission stand on the following:

• 1.the fact that Directive 2000/60/EC has led to the fragmentation of water and irrigation infrastructure and the privatisation of profitable sections, resulting in water becoming a costly commodity that is received, stored and transported in infrastructure of dubious quality, with dire consequences for Aegina and many other parts of Greece that are also deprived of access to cheap and safe water and in several cases face serious water scarcity problems, with some also affected by flooding?
• 2.the legitimate demands of the Greek people for quality and cheap water to be provided with all the necessary infrastructure in place and under the sole responsibility of the State?

Submitted: 20.3.2026