- Heraklion receives approximately 270 cubic meters of water per hour from the Aposelemis Dam—exactly half the standard operating rate of 540 cubic meters per hour following last week’s system failure.
- The reduction leaves the municipal network facing a daily shortage estimated between 5,000 and 6,000 cubic meters.
- The supply crunch coincides with residents returning to the city after the mid-August holiday weekend, driving up urban demand.
- Severe supply disruptions and multi-day outages are reported in Mesambelies, Evans Street, Lasithiou Street, and Kapetanissis Marigou.
A prolonged disruption at the Aposelemis Dam turned from a manageable hiccup into a severe crisis.
Despite efforts to repair the processing dysfunction at the dam, the supply has not returned to full capacity. According to Cretalive, the city is currently receiving only about 270 cubic meters of water per hour. Under normal conditions, that number should be 540.
That 50% deficit translates to a massive daily shortfall of 5,000 to 6,000 cubic meters. The municipal water company (DEYAH) is doing its best to ration and redistribute what little water is available, but the math is unforgiving.
The Return of the City = The Return of the Pressure
The timing could not be worse. The August 15th holiday is over, and thousands of residents are returning to Heraklion from their village homes and island getaways.
When the city’s population swells back to its normal baseline, the baseline water demand spikes. Showers are taken, washing machines are run, and cafes need their supply. The grid, already operating at half capacity, is buckling under the renewed weight.
Hard-Hit Streets
The effects are no longer theoretical; they are happening right now in the city center. The DEYAH has acknowledged that specific areas are bearing the brunt of the pressure drop.
Currently, the most severely affected zones include:
- Evans Street (particularly the lower sections)
- Lasithiou Street
- Kapetanissis Marigos Street
Residents and businesses in these areas are reporting significant drops in pressure and, in some cases, complete temporary outages.
The DEYAH has stated that they are actively managing the available quantities to distribute them as evenly as possible. However, they are clear on one point: until the Aposelemis supply is fully restored, the deficit will remain, and the problems in these heavily burdened areas will persist.
What You Need to Do Now
If you are staying in or near the city center of Heraklion, especially on the streets mentioned above, you must operate under “water crisis” protocols.
- Store water: Keep a few large bottles or a clean bucket of water in your apartment for flushing toilets or basic washing if the pressure drops to zero.
- Conserve aggressively: This is not the time for long showers or running half-empty appliances. Every liter counts.
- Check with your host: If you are in a rental or hotel, ask the management what their contingency plan is. Many larger buildings have rooftop cisterns that provide a temporary buffer, but smaller properties do not.
