An extensive discussion on the progress of the sewer project and the inconvenience caused to residents by the dug-up streets took place during the City Council’s accountability meeting on May 14, 2026. The issue was brought to the table through questions posed by City Councilmember Mr. Paraskevas Georgilas, with Mayor Stratos Charchalakis providing detailed answers regarding the project’s timelines, delays, and challenges.
Questions from P. Georgilas
Mr. Georgilas asked for clarification on the new timeline for the repairs, noting that the asphalt paving work had been expected in March but did not take place. At the same time, he raised the following critical questions:
- What is the overall timeline for completing the project, and will there be an extension?.
- In which areas will new asphalt be laid across the entire width of the road (e.g., Livadi, Mylopotamos, Kalamos, Kapsali)?.
- What will happen to the solar park subproject that was part of the sewer system project?.
Mr. Georgilas highlighted the significant disruption and inconvenience caused to the public, stressing that it is unacceptable for roads to remain dug up and unrepaired since last September.
Responses and Commitments from Mayor Stratos Charchalakis
In response, the mayor acknowledged that the project is the most technically challenging undertaking carried out on the island in recent decades and went on to make the following announcements:
- Road Repairs & Construction Defects: Repair work has begun and, as the company has informed him, it will not stop until it is completed. First, the cuts will be filled in, and then new asphalt will be laid across the entire width of the road for a total of 5.5 kilometers (from Karvounada to Livadi, as well as in Kato Livadi). The initial delay in March was due to continuous rainfall. He made it absolutely clear that any repairs carried out hastily in the past that resulted in subsidence (e.g., the «patches» before Christmas), will be redone at the contractor’s sole expense and responsibility, as the Municipality will not sign any payment order until the issue is resolved.
- Timelines & Recovery Fund: Following an extended meeting with the relevant Secretary General, Mr. Grafakos, it was confirmed that the ministry is satisfied with the progress. The Recovery Fund’s strict deadline for completing the physical work remains June 30. The extension granted to the project until May 31 is intended precisely to align with the Fund’s milestones.
- The Solar Farm: This specific subproject was excluded by a decision of the minister regarding all such projects nationwide. The reason was that HEDNO stated that it was unable to store the generated energy due to a lack of batteries. The Ministry is now seeking an alternative funding program; however, the Municipality has made it clear that without the photovoltaic park, the project’s energy sustainability and operation will become extremely difficult.
- Biological Treatment and Network Operations: A key prerequisite for the launch of the central network is the operation of the unit in Kapsali (upgraded to a third-level unit), which is expected in about 20–25 days. The Municipality has just paid 80,000 euros to HEDNO so that all pumping stations can be connected to the power grid immediately.
You can watch the entire discussion in the video below.
