Imagine Mykonos, the island famed for its sun-kissed beaches and vibrant nightlife, in a state of water scarcity. The essence of life, seemingly ubiquitous, suddenly dwindling to a trickle.
According to a recent document from the island’s Municipal Water and Sewage Company, the situation in Mykonos is rather bleak. The oasis we know is parched, thirsting for a solution. The enterprise has taken the decision to supplement its water supplies, aiming to mitigate the island’s pressing water demands, particularly during the bustling summer tourist season. However, if rainfall were to bless the land, the existing water supply from the desalination units would suffice, eliminating the need for additional water from the contractor’s desalination process.
Currently, Mykonos quenches its thirst only from desalination units that collectively have a nominal capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day. This includes 4,000 cubic meters from units located at the old Slaughterhouses and 6,000 cubic meters from the units installed in the Korfos area. As per the statistics from the previous year, the demand for water surges between the 1st of July and the 31st of October, reaching an astounding 15,000 cubic meters daily.
The Municipal Water and Sewage Company’s report states that the reservoir levels have fallen to alarmingly low levels, and the demands for water must be entirely met by desalination. The quantities of undistilled water in the storage tanks have nearly dried up, hence, necessitating the supplementation of the water balance with additional water quantities.
Given the vigorous residential and the rapid tourist development of the island, accompanied by the increase in tourist accommodations, it’s anticipated that further pressure will be exerted on the available water reserves. This pressure is expected to intensify even further during periods of high tourist traffic this year.
According to the Municipal Enterprise, the necessity for additional potable water arose due to unforeseeable circumstances. It’s a supply intended to tackle unpredictable conditions, conditions that didn’t exist when the tenders were taking place. Specifically, the water consumption escalated during the months of September, October, and November due to the prolonged tourist season. The machinery responsible for production was constantly under maintenance due to high stress, the installation of new production facilities was delayed, and to top it all, there was a conspicuous lack of sufficient rainfall during the autumn and winter period of 2022-2023.
In a response worthy of Odysseus’s cunning, the Municipality of Kea took a decision as surprising as it was inevitable. They’ve forbidden the filling of swimming pools with water from the municipal supply network, island-wide. Break this new edict, and you’ll find yourself slapped with a hefty fine of €1,500. This rule, draconian though it may seem, is aimed at conserving water, ensuring the basic water needs for domestic and professional use are adequately met.
And so, Mykonos, this storied isle of revelry and relaxation, finds itself wrestling with a paradox as stark as the contrast between its white-washed buildings and the cobalt sea. The next move in this epic game of chess? Only time will tell.
Read also:
A 24-Hour Sojourn Through the Chora of Mykonos
Glamourous Mykonos: A Fusion of Global Brands and Local Treasures
Guided Tours: Discovering Mykonos’ Hidden Gems
