In the air the water supply project of Agia Pelagia - Chains of delays

The long-awaited water supply project in Agia Pelagia in Kythera, which aims to fully cover the water supply needs of the largest and most touristically important settlement of the island, is facing serious delays. Despite the funding of the Region of Attica and the ongoing pressure from residents and stakeholders, its completion seems uncertain, while water supply problems in the area remain acute.

The Region of Attica, through the Directorate of Technical Works of the Regional Unit of Piraeus and Islands, gave an official response on 25 October 2024 to question tabled by regional councillors Maria Kazakou and Ekaterini Logothetis, representatives of the faction «Attic Circle of Cooperation and Trust». The question referred to the delays in the completion of the water supply project in Agia Pelagia Kythera, pointing out the inconvenience of residents and visitors due to water supply problems.

The delays that keep the project stalled

The project, with a total value of €1,519,005, includes the construction of tanks, a network of pipelines, manholes and fire hydrants. Despite the progress that has been made, such as the construction of parts of the network and two reservoirs, work has been interrupted several times, mainly due to:

1. Financial pending issues: Repeated delays in the payment of bills to the contractor caused the interruption of work several times. The non-payment of the 4th and 5th bills in 2024 is the most recent cause, resulting in the company claiming damages.
2. Procedural delays: The start of the project was delayed due to the lack of an archaeologist, who was needed to monitor the work. In addition, new needs, such as the interconnection of boreholes and desalination plants, were added to the budget, complicating the process.
3. Postponements due to the summer season: In the summer of 2022, the Municipality of Kythera requested the postponement of the works due to increased traffic, which exacerbated the delays.
4. Financial uncertainty: Despite any apparent support from the Region of Attica, the delays in payments indicate an inability to secure credits in time, which intensifies the stagnation of the project.

Unspecified completion date

The Municipality of Kythera, in cooperation with the Region, has requested extension of the programme contract by 36 months, in order to allow the necessary time to complete the project. However, uncertainty remains, with financial uncertainties making it difficult to predict its completion. According to the relevant services, the completion date remains unclear, with residents' concerns intensifying, especially in the run-up to the summer season.

A vital project in deadlock

Agia Pelagia, an area with increased tourist traffic, relies heavily on water supply, which remains inadequate. The water supply project, although designed to meet the needs of the region, has become a typical example of the difficulties faced by public works in our country: from bureaucratic procedures and financial delays to inefficient management.

Completion of the project is now a matter of immediate priority. The residents of Agia Pelagia expect actions that will end this prolonged wait so that the water supply network becomes a reality and improves their lives.

The following is the Service's response to the question of the regional councillors of the «Atticus Circle of Cooperation and Trust» faction.