The map of Thessaly's drilling sites is in the red

The delineated Groundwater Systems (GWS) of the Thessaly River Basin Management Plan are characterized as deficient, as they account for the largest number of active boreholes in the region. This was shown by the recording of boreholes carried out by the Greek Geological and Mining Research Authority and the Ministry of Environment and Energy in the Thessaly plain, which is mainly due to the intensive irrigation of the fields. Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, the Secretary General for the Natural Environment and Water, Dr. Petros Varelidis, stressed that «the data is already being used in the context of the 2nd revision of the River Basin Management Plans» in order to lay the foundations for effectively addressing the problem.

Specifically, a total of 21,894 water wells were recorded in the plain, with the prefectures of Larissa (8,411 water wells), Karditsa (6,312 water wells), Trikala (2,800), and Magnesia (2,594) accounting for 92% of the total number of water wells in the Water District.

As announced, based on the inventory data, thirty-three Technical Reports were compiled, including statistical analysis and processing for drawing conclusions on all key parameters as derived from the inventory records, the recording of all parameters on thematic maps, and the assessment of water balance components.

The Technical Reports revealed that the large YYSs, which account for the largest number of active boreholes, are classified as «deficient.».

It also emerged that approximately 90% is used to meet irrigation needs, 6.7 % for livestock farming, 1.6% for water supply, and 1.7% for industrial and other uses.

As the Secretary General for Natural Environment and Water told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, «it is extremely important to produce and make available to anyone interested (researchers, NGOs, citizens, administration, political leadership, etc.) detailed primary data that allows for the analysis, investigate, and evaluate alternative solutions for optimizing water management, which, especially in the case of Thessaly, has to deal with a very large deficit in the water balance.».
As he pointed out, «this data is already being used in the context of the second review of the River Basin Management Plans.».

The SAMY II project is a key tool for the effective management of extractable water quantities and the protection of aquifers from overpumping. The volume of extractable water quantities is an important parameter for calculating water balances, helping to assess the status of groundwater systems and estimate the pressures they are under in order to take appropriate measures and achieving the goal of their rational management.

The results of the Project support the actions of the General Directorate of Water of the Ministry of Environment & Energy (YPE) and aim to strengthen the country's water policy, ensuring the quality and quantity of its water resources, while complying with the obligations arising from European Union Directives (60/2000/EC, 118/2006/EC, and 91/676/EEC).

The project is funded by the Operational Program «Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development» of the NSRF 2014-2020 (2023).

Elias Palialexis