- The Aposelemis reservoir may cover only 1.5–2 months for Heraklion, Hersonissos, and Agios Nikolaos
- DEYAH President Giorgos Vouretzakis says solutions are needed now, mid-term, and long-term
- Major problem: lack of funding + aging pipe network (Tylissos and Malia supply lines)
- Heraklion is short by 3.4 million m³ per year (about 15% deficit)
- Temporary plan under study: desalination units along the Malia pipeline corridor
- Heraklion may request a state of emergency declaration to unlock funds and accelerate projects
Crete does not “run out of water” politely. It does it the way droughts do everywhere—quietly at first, then suddenly all at once, with everyone asking why nobody screamed earlier.
Now someone is screaming.
According to DEYAH President Giorgos Vouretzakis, the Aposelemis reservoir has enough water to supply roughly 1.5 to 2 months of water to Heraklion, Hersonissos, and Agios Nikolaos. Speaking to Radio 98.4, he stressed that the municipality needs both mid-term and long-term solutions today, not tomorrow, not “in the next programming period.”
The problem is not only the drought. It is the perfect storm:
- low rainfall (anombriá) draining dams
- a worn-out pipeline network in urgent need of replacement
- and the most brutal obstacle of all: money — or rather, the lack of it
Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos and DEYAH are reportedly examining every available option “so we do not get thirsty,” as the local saying goes—because this is no longer theoretical.
The Numbers Behind the Fear
The remaining usable reserves in Aposelemis are alarming.
Vouretzakis notes that roughly 1.8 million cubic meters remain. Yet, only a portion of total reserves can be utilized safely due to constraints on infrastructure protection. In other words, even the water that exists is not entirely “available,” because the dam’s operational safety comes first.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Heraklion faces an annual shortage of:
- 3.4 million cubic meters per year
- roughly 15% missing volume
At the moment, the city is held together by groundwater support—especially from:
- Tylissos
- Keris
- Malia (boreholes/drillings)
The new (temporary) idea on the table: desalination
This is the significant news element.
DEYAH says Heraklion is carefully studying the temporary installation of desalination units, particularly along the Malia pipeline corridor, because:
- It runs parallel to the coastal front
- It is technically easier to support with small connection pipe sections
- Units could be installed as container-type installations
- The produced water could be fed into key tanks:
- Alikarnassos
- Papa Titu Metochi
The plan could be funded through European programs, although Vouretzakis points out that a bigger strategic solution is needed.
Long-term “real fix”: the Almyros karst spring
According to him, a large central desalination unit at the Almyros karst spring—described as one of the largest in Europe—could solve long-term water issues.
However, because Heraklion’s population demand is enormous, another option being examined is:
- two to three (or more) smaller desalination units
- instead of one mega-unit
This is a very “Greek reality” decision: the large solution is logical, but the smaller units may be the only way to move fast.
Emergency Declaration: The Fastest Road to Funding
One more critical angle is now gaining traction: pressure for Heraklion to be declared in a state of emergency due to drought.
That is not symbolic. It unlocks:
- faster approvals
- emergency funding
- accelerated works
- fewer bureaucratic chokeholds
And in water politics, money is time, and time is water.
What This Means for Residents and Tourists
Argophilia readers should not panic—but they should not ignore it either.
If you live in or visit Heraklion this winter/spring:
- Expect pressure on the network if the drought continues.
- Be ready for possible restrictions, especially in peak usage zones.
- Avoid heavy water waste (hoses, open taps, etc.).
- If you are a hotel or rental host: plan for water-saving measures and inform guests early, politely, and clearly.
Crete is wild and beautiful. But it is not a postcard.
And water is the line between “holiday” and “survival.”
This report was written by Iorgos Pappas with assistance from Arthur AI.