In a press release issued today by the Municipality of Kythira, it was announced that funding has been secured for the installation and operation of a portable desalination unit in Antikythira, which will help resolve the water shortage, given that rainfall on the island has been below average this year. The Municipality’s press release follows.
The government's immediate response to the water shortage in Antikythira
Following relevant requests from our Municipality and after a private meeting between Mayor Efstratios Charchalakis and the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Konstantinos Katsafados on May 12, 2021, The Ministerial Decision was signed today, May 13, 2021, whereby the Ministry of Shipping is granting the Municipality of Kythira a subsidy of 111,600.00 to immediately address the acute water shortage problem facing Antikythira this year.
According to official measurements by the National Observatory of Athens, during the current hydrogeological year (September 2020–present) Only 361.2 millimeters of rain have been recorded on the island, a quantity reduced by at least 60% compared to the annual average.
For this reason, our Municipality, in collaboration with the political leadership of the Ministry of Shipping and with the new Deputy Minister, Mr. Katsafados, promptly submitted a request for emergency funding to lease a portable desalination unit and carry out the necessary projects and procure the required water supply components and materials so that ensure an adequate water supply for the island of Antikythira. In addition to the water supply needs of residents and visitors, this year there is a need for additional water supplies due to the implementation of major municipal and public works projects on the island, which were at risk of being interrupted due to water shortages.
The Mayor of Kythira, Mr. Efstratios Charchalakis, issued the following statement in light of this positive development:
«I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the political leadership of the Ministry of Shipping, Minister Ioannis Plakiotakis, Deputy Minister Konstantinos Katsafados, and the Secretaries-General for their prompt response to the need for an adequate water supply for Antikythira in the coming months. Once again, it has been demonstrated that the Government’s cooperative relationship with the municipalities yields positive results, especially when the municipalities act methodically and responsibly, presenting comprehensive and well-documented proposals. The residents of Antikythira are citizens on an equal footing with the rest of the Greek people and are entitled to what is only fair as a minimum recompense for the Thermopylae they guard on their island.».
