EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 70/73

(2004/C 70 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2063/03

by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) and Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 June 2003)

Subject: Water supplies and quality of water in Greece

The ‘Nea Dimokratia’ party has officially accused the Greek government of cutting off funding (established on the basis of Greek Law 2065/92) for Public Water Supply and Sewerage Companies, thereby depriving over 150 public companies of the funds to which they are entitled and which are vital for the execution of projects. ‘Nea Dimokratia’ also declares that this state of affairs is creating self-evident problems, mainly in the execution of urgent infrastructure projects: in the Mornos water conduit alone (which supplies Athens with water) 55 km are uncovered (out of a total of 122 km), and debris, rubbish, dead animals etc. fall into the network, creating obvious health risks for the inhabitants of Athens and even endangering their lives (recently a small boy fell into an unprotected open water conduit and drowned).

It should be pointed out that last winter and this spring there was abundant rainfall in Greece, and it was therefore to be expected that large volumes of water would have accumulated in tanks. Despite this, the Greek media have been referring to the ‘risk of drought’ this summer and the ‘Water Supply and Sewerage Company of the Capital’ has already announced a 3,5 % increase in rates.

Are the water supply infrastructure projects in Greece sufficient?

Have all the projects planned in this sector over the last ten years actually been executed?

What is the Commission's view of the take-up of Community funds in the water supply sector in Greece?

Which important projects have been carried out in Greece with EU co-funding since 1994 and are fully operational (not those which are planned or still under construction)?

Is the Commission aware that almost half the network which carries water of the Mornos to Athens is completely uncovered?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(5 August 2003)

The Drinking Water Directive (1) sets binding objectives for the quality of drinking water at the tap and on regular monitoring of drinking water quality in the Union, but does not specify details of design, construction and maintenance of water distribution systems. The Water Framework Directive (2) sets the obligation to achieve good quality (‘good status’) for all waters (rivers, lakes, coastal waters and groundwaters) by 2015, but neither entails an obligation for drinking water supply nor for details of design, construction and maintenance of water distribution systems.

For water supply infrastructure work the present period is that of the 2000-2006 Community Support Framework prepared on the basis of a proposal from the Greek authorities. It indicates at strategy level the investments needed to improve supply to the biggest towns in Greece. Some of this investment is now being made.

In the previous period the ERDF financed a very large number of drinking water infrastructure projects (water collection, boreholes, conduits, purification works and above all town and commune networks) that are now completed and in operation. Since ERDF assistance is granted by programme and not by individual project, the Commission asks the Honourable Members to approach the Greek authorities for more detailed information on the actual projects. In the case of projects part-financed from the Cohesion Fund among the large towns to benefit from new water supply investment are Larisa, Volos, Patra, Livadia, Lamia, Naoussa, Khania and of course the cities of Athens (Evinos project) and Thessaloniki (Aliakmonas project beginning commercial operation this month).

(1) Council Directive 98/83/EEC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, OJ L 330, 5.12.1998.

(2) Directive 2000/60/CE du Parlement et du Conseil du 23 octobre 2000 établissant un cadre pour une politique communautaire dans le domaine de ľeau, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.