The construction of an internal sewage system in the town of Paiania is moving toward final completion, a project of vital importance to the area’s residents, which had remained pending for a number of years, causing significant problems.
The contract for the construction of the project, totaling 13,387,000 euros (plus VAT), was signed in the presence of Nikos Hardalias, Regional Governor of Attica; Manolis Grafakos, Secretary General for Waste Management Coordination at the Ministry of Environment and Energy; the Mayor of Paiania, Isidoros Madis; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EYDAP S.A., Georgios Stergiou, and the CEO of EYDAP S.A., Haris Sachinis, by the General Director of Major Projects at EYDAP S.A., Georgia Stefanakou, and the representative of the project contractor, at a special ceremony held at the Vorres Museum in Paiania. This marks the start of the construction phase of a critical environmental infrastructure project for the wider region of Eastern Attica.
Upon completion of the project, which is scheduled to be carried out within 30 months, the quality of life for the residents of the Municipality of Paiania is expected to improve, strengthen environmental protection and public health, and create new, stable prospects for sustainable development.
A modern sewer system covering an area of 2,900 stremmata
The project involves the construction of an internal sewage system in the densely populated area of the town of Paiania, covering a total area of approximately 2,900 stremmata.
Specifically, the main project includes, among other things:
• the construction of approximately 53 kilometers of sewer lines,
• the construction of approximately 1,490 precast reinforced concrete manholes,
• the replacement of existing manholes with synthetic material,
• the construction of approximately 3,600 external branch lines to enable the future connection of properties to the sewer system.
The new internal network will channel municipal wastewater into the existing sewer collectors, which are connected to the region’s broader sewer system. Through this system, the wastewater will be directed to the new, state-of-the-art Koropi–Paiania Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was constructed by the Region of Attica and inaugurated in April 2024.
Funding Secured from the «Attica» Program 2021–2027
The inclusion and funding of the project under the «Attica» Regional Program 2021–2027 secured the necessary European funding to restart and complete the project, which had been on hold for a long time. The beneficiary and contracting authority will be EYDAP S.A., which will undertake the implementation of the project in collaboration with the Region of Attica and the Municipality of Paiania. At the same time, the completion of the project will strengthen Greece’s compliance with European requirements for the collection, management, and treatment of municipal wastewater, in accordance with Directive 91/271/EEC.
Stavros Papastavrou: «Modern sewer systems are an investment in quality of life, public health, and environmental protection.»
In a message sent by Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Environment and Energy, he emphasized that: «The construction of a modern sewer system in the Municipality of Paiania is an investment in citizens’ quality of life, public health, and the protection of groundwater aquifers and the natural environment. It enhances property values in the area, ensures our country’s compliance with its European obligations, and leaves a strong legacy of development for future generations.”.
This project is part of a broader effort currently underway in Eastern Attica—an infrastructure program worth over 1 billion euros— affects half a million citizens, and is transforming a region that for decades was at the center of the country’s environmental challenges into a model of modern planning and sustainability.
The government views water as a strategic national resource and unimpeded access to it as a prerequisite for security and social cohesion. That is why water supply, irrigation, and sewage networks constitute critical national infrastructure. Water management cannot rely on yesterday’s solutions. It requires modern infrastructure, strong public agencies, the use of technology, and forward-looking planning.’.
Nikos Hardalias: «A critical infrastructure project is now firmly on track for implementation»
During the ceremony, Nikos Hardalias, Regional Governor of Attica, made the following statement: «The signing of today’s contract marks the definitive start of construction and completion of a critical and absolutely essential infrastructure project for Paiania. Resolving the sewerage problem—not only in Paiania but throughout Eastern Attica—is a major and complex challenge for us. Addressing chronic deficiencies in basic infrastructure requires comprehensive planning, cooperation, and the effective utilization of every available resource, with transparency and measurable results. Here in Paiania, it appears that we are succeeding in this endeavor.
With the support of the Region of Attica, funding from the “Attica” Regional Program 2021–2027—that is, our European funds—the implementation undertaken by EYDAP S.A., and the cooperation of the Municipality of Paiania and our friend Mayor Isidoros Madis, we are moving forward in a coordinated manner to resolve a long-standing problem.
The Paiania sewer system, along with the corresponding projects we are carrying out in other municipalities of the Athens Basin, is one of the eight top-priority projects we are implementing as the Region of Attica. These projects will be completed, as we have committed, by the end of 2028, fulfilling our commitment to a more people-centered, safe, and resilient Attica.
This particular project is one of the 352 initiatives we presented a few days ago in our report on the first 30 months of our term, providing citizens with an account of what we are planning, funding, and implementing.
I would like to thank everyone who has worked diligently over the past period to make today’s signing possible. We are not resting on our laurels, however. Together with the relevant departments of the Region and EYDAP, we will continuously monitor the progress of the work to ensure that the project is completed on schedule, in accordance with the required quality standards and with the utmost respect for taxpayers» money. For us, the effort continues. We will remain constantly on the ground until we deliver to the residents of Paiania the infrastructure they deserve and have been waiting for for decades.”.
Manolis Grafakos: «In collaboration with the Regional Governor of Attica, we are finalizing the waste management component.»
Manolis Grafakos, Secretary General for Waste Management Coordination at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, stated the following: «Today is a very important day for Paiania. We are completing the waste management component for the Athens Basin, and we are doing so in close cooperation with the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias. Obviously, none of this would have been possible if he had not allocated the European funds he manages to this sector. The acceleration of these projects has taken place during his tenure as Regional Governor of Attica, and we should publicly acknowledge his contribution.
»I would also like to thank the management of EYDAP for the excellent and close cooperation we have enjoyed. I wish everyone the best of luck, and I hope the citizens will enjoy this new project.".
Isidoros Madis: «Paiania Sewer System: An Investment in the Future»
For his part, Isidoros Madis, Mayor of Paiania, stated the following: «The Paiania Municipal Unit’s sewer system project is the largest investment in future generations, an investment in the future of our region, and, above all, a safeguard for the protection of the environment. The signing of the contract today was the culmination of a race against time that began in 2019. Working closely with EYDAP and the Region of Attica, we managed to rescue the project from the quagmire into which it had been driven by poor decisions in the past.
I am confident that EYDAP, the country’s largest company in this field and, ultimately, its final operator, with extensive experience and proven expertise, and having learned the lessons of the recent past in Glyka Nera, will rise to the challenge so that the project proceeds smoothly, with the least possible burden on the local community. The contractor must also move in this direction, knowing that we will stand by his side but also oppose him if necessary, in order to prevent any mistakes that could harm the city and its residents.».
Georgios Stergiou: «Paiania’s Sewer System: Improving Quality of Life, Protecting the Environment»
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of EYDAP S.A., Georgios Stergiou, emphasized: «The quality of life for all residents of Paiania will change significantly once the project—which begins today with the signing of the contract for the construction of the sewer system—is completed. It will improve the daily lives of the municipality’s residents, protect the environment and the region’s water resources, and lay the groundwork for urban development that will benefit future generations as well. Our close collaboration with the Region of Attica and the Municipal Authority of Paiania is essential and, therefore, crucial to the project’s progress and success. We are working together for a better tomorrow for the residents of Paiania and all of Eastern Attica.’.
Haris Sahinis: «The Paiania Sewer System is part of a holistic plan worth 2.5 billion euros»
EYDAP S.A. CEO Haris Sachinis emphasized that: «The sewerage project in Paiania is part of a broader investment program totaling 2.5 billion euros being implemented by EYDAP, with a particular focus on Eastern Attica, an area that for years lacked basic infrastructure. Today’s contract does not concern only Paiania, but is part of a holistic plan that improves public health, protects the environment, and strengthens the region’s development prospects. The contribution of the Region of Attica is undeniable, as is our commitment to continue, at an accelerating pace, the implementation of the infrastructure projects needed by Eastern Attica, while offering the high level of service that EYDAP provides to all its customers without discrimination.».
Among those present at the contract signing ceremony were representatives of the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, and New Democracy MP Makis Voridis, as well as MPs from the First District of Eastern Attica, Stelios Petsas, George Vlachos, and Vasilis Oikonomou, as well as the Mayor of Kropia, Dimitris Kiouzis.
Representing the Region of Attica were Dimitrios Damaskos, Deputy Regional Governor of Eastern Attica; SOSCHE regular members Vicky Kavallari and Thanasis Avgerinos; Elena Rapti, Special Secretary of the Region of Attica; Dimitrios Drosos, Head of the Special Management Service for the Regional Program (EYDP) «Attica» 2021–2027, Dimitris Drosos; and Regional Councilors Vasilis Kokkalis and Vangelis Albanis.
