- Water scarcity in Crete isn’t a myth—it’s a daily reality, worsened by villas and pools.
- Locals report no water for days during summer heatwaves.
- Water by truck costs vary: €250 for 16,000 L or €400 for 4,000 L—it’s a lifeline, not luxury.
- Infrastructure leaks, mismanagement, and developer priorities leave residents holding empty buckets.
Villagers Run Dry While Pools Overflow
Residents in places like Kokkino Chorio—where “Zorba the Greek” was shot—aren’t just suffering summer droughts. They’re dealing with zero water supply for days, even weeks:
“No water up the hill in Kokkino Chorio for 5 days already! +40 degrees outside …”
One household has been without water for more than 103 days.
Meanwhile, upscale developments with pools march on, leaving locals to fend for bottled water and tank deliveries.
Tanker Prices: Steep and Inconsistent
When gravity fails, cash flows. Locals report a wide pricing range:
- €250 for 16,000 liters delivered to St George’s Hill.
- €400 for 4,000 liters is a figure often repeated—and verified via community anecdotes.
Compare that to a DIY water tank (~1,600 L) cost of €1,200–€1,700:
“Reserve water tank installation is approx 1200‑1700€ depending on tank size…”
This makes water a recurring—and painful—line item for villagers.
A System Leaking at the Seams
It’s not just drought—it’s a broken system:
- Leaking mains turn roads into streams of wasted water.
- Nationally, Crete’s reservoirs, from Aposelemis to Faneromeni, are dangerously low.
- And yet, approvals and development continue unrestrained:
Massive villas are built with swimming pools, while residents are unable to flush toilets.
Each cracked pipe betrays a system that favors tourists over locals. While roadside leaks flood the dust, residents queue for tanker trucks—paying up to €250 for 16,000 L or €400 for just 4,000 L—so they can fill dry taps, flush toilets, and wash dishes. The spokespersons for the thirsty have grown weary, and their signs now read: “Water for people, not just pools.”
It’s not drought—it’s design. And until Crete decides its people matter more than tourism infrastructure, these photos won’t just document a crisis—they’ll demand action.
The anger and hurt boil beneath every post:
“Shame, shame, shame on Apokoronas authorities …”
It’s more than an inconvenience. It’s daily indignity—as hotels flourish, locals suffer.
In Apokoronas, the cost of luxury isn’t just euros—it’s the moral price of ignoring people. Developers build pools over villages. The pipeline flows to tourists; villagers scramble for tanker trucks. A life without water is no life at all.
Sidebar: Water Costs & Realities
| Situation | Cost / Detail |
|---|---|
| Official truck-delivered water (16,000 L) | €250 |
| Reality estimated tanker price (4,000 L) | ~€400 |
| Water tank installation (1,600 L) | €1,200–€1,700 |
| Days without water reported | Up to 103 days in summer |
Apokoronas’ water crisis is more than an inconvenience — it’s a test of priorities. In one of Crete’s most beautiful corners, residents are priced out of their water supply, tanker trucks fill the gap, and tourism development still gets greenlit without a thought for long-term sustainability.
The truth is simple: until the island puts people before pools, taps will keep running dry.