With unglamorous result It appears that the new drilling attempted by the Municipal Authority in Diakopouli, next to an older municipal well, as the long-awaited water was not found. The only hope now, according to some, is... rain, in case it brings life to the new well...
According to information from the construction site, the drill descended approximately at 100 meters, without result (reporting only 4 km per hour). This reignited questions about the design, the documentation and the expediency of the project—especially in an area with springs and an active hydrological network, for which residents have been requesting for months update and dialogue with the Municipal Authority, but also a preventive study consequences.
Alongside the work, as described in previous days, tension escalated. As evidenced by communications received by the editorial team, the Mayor of Kythira addressed the following statement yesterday morning: message To the president of the Municipal Community of Karava, Zacharias Souris, requesting recall of the complaints they have filed 39 residents regarding issues of legality and drilling procedures. The message states, among other things:
«...I am obliged to sue all 39 signatories for false reporting... inform them that I will wait until Monday for a retraction... if this does not happen, I will proceed with the lawsuit because I am determined to defend the Municipality and my work at all costs.».
According to residents' testimonies, the same request The request to withdraw the lawsuits was conveyed to Karavites through a third party, who was summoned yesterday at noon to the Town Hall by the Mayor in order to be informed and to convey the message to his fellow citizens. According to the information available, Mayor Charhalakis appears to be invited representatives of the 39 residents visit him the next day (today) at City Hall (after they back down legally...). This development has caused reactions, given that—as residents point out—for more than a year there was no substantial consultation with the community, despite repeated appeals of the late president Kosmas Tzortzopoulos after the general meeting of August 5, 2024.
On September 17, Mr. Charhalakis had publicly argued that the project is based on lawful geological study, has all the necessary approvals and licensing, while it was auctioned electronically in accordance with the law. At the same time, he dismissed environmental concerns as unfounded, insisting that drilling is necessary for water supply.
What happened at the construction site? Who was supervising?;
A critical incident was recorded on second day of the work. According to residents' testimonies, only the deputy mayor Mr. Panagiotis Zantiotis, while was not present:
- representative of the contractor (Environmental Engineering SA),
- ο supervising engineer of the Region (Mr. Tavoularis),
- nor the Head of Technical Services of the Municipality.
The architect–engineer Charalambos Sougiannis (former elected representative) who was there requested explanations for the absence of the above before the start of critical work. Nevertheless, the work proceeded. The incident is already leg of the legal actions brought by residents, with allegations of construction site deficiencies.
The positions of the president and the residents of Karava
The president of the Municipal Community of Karava and 38 other signatories decided to appeal to the courts, while complaints in Piraeus Public Prosecutor's Office. At the same time, a bill has been submitted urgent request for suspension in Decentralized Administration of Attica. The residents claim:
- lack of consultation and disregard for decisions of the local community (decision 5/8/2024 on preventive impact assessment),
- risk of downgrading springs and streams (Karava aquifer),
- and documentation gaps in practice, despite general references to approvals.
The issue has also been raised in public debate. registration of the existing drilling at National Registry (a question first raised by residents and repeated in a recent report by Newspaper of the Editors), as well as the fact that Municipal Water Resources Plan—prepared by the current mayor's office—recommends limiting overpumping.
It should be noted that the project is part of the package «Drilling and Replacement of Municipal Wells in the Municipality of Kythira» with budget of €640,106.90 and funding from the Recovery Fund.
Issue with Recovery Fund, legislation, and public consultation
To date there has been no meaningful consultation with the Municipal Community, associations, and residents of Karava regarding the drilling project, which raises reasonable questions.
As reported in Kythera.News by a former local government official «in In the European and Greek context, the participation of local communities is considered an integral part of in the design and implementation of projects relating to the environment and natural resources. The Recovery Fund Regulation explicitly mentions consultation with local authorities and civil society, while environmental legislation provides for public participation procedures».
It seems, therefore, that in the case of Karava, the lack of dialogue it is not a typical omission, but serious lack of transparency and respect for the local community.
Timeline of the case
- Last year (August 5, 2024): General assembly Karava requests, prior to pumping, impact study to ensure fountain in Keramari and the stream.
- September 16 (Day 1): Residents gather early at the site, demanding not to start the project without prior dialogue Community – Municipal Authority. Submitted lawsuit for issues legality and work stops.
- September 17 (Day 2): Work in the absence of technically responsible persons. No presence. supervising and contractor representative. The Karavites ask to come to the point the Mayor. Threats from the Mayor to the Karavites for «illegal wells.» Enhanced police presence—without incident. New one submitted lawsuit for construction site deficiencies and other issues (absence of a supervising engineer, project file, and safety measures – see also related video – report).
- September 18 (Day 3): Completion of drilling at ~100 m. without water.
- September 22: Μpressure signals by the Mayor for the withdrawal of the lawsuits.
From drilling to the audience?;
After «dry» result of drilling at 100 meters, the case is not only not closed, but seems to be taking a new turn. The residents' lawyers are already compiling a dossier on technical and procedural issues, while the Decentralized Administration is called upon to examine the administrative aspect concerning the licensing and compliance with the terms of the project. At the same time, the Piraeus Public Prosecutor's Office is expected to assess whether criminal liability arises, such as negligence in construction site safety or possible breach of duty.
All this is happening in Kythira at a time when several cases involving the municipal authorities are already before the courts. The fact that an investigation is underway cannot be overlooked. extensive control over public works in Kythira by regulatory bodies over the past two years, with violations found in some cases and findings pending. All this adds weight to the current controversy surrounding the drilling, making it a case with implications that go beyond the boundaries of Karava.
Drilling in Karava did not bring water, but brought to light institutional deficits:
- transparency documents and evidence,
- supervision protocols and construction site safety,
- respect on decisions and the anxiety of a community that lives from and beside its water.
The report will be updated with each new piece of information. Until then, the real question remains the same: Πhow water is secured — and democracy — in Karava?;
