Cracks in Heraklion Boutres: Complete Water Supply Shutdown Decided

Another meeting took place on Monday at the Boutres area in Heraklion, with the participation of scientists from the Greek Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME) conducting inspections on cracks in the settlement’s homes. During the meeting, the latest data were examined, which showed no worsening of the cracks in the last 48 hours since the specialized glass crack meters were installed. A sensitive subsoil composed of clays and possibly gypsum, as is the specific area, can still be affected by even small but long-term leaks. Various additional measures were discussed that could be immediately implemented to accelerate the ‘dehydration’ of the area where the geological phenomenon is observed. Specifically, it was decided to completely cut off the water supply in the controversial ‘Mesochoria’ area of the settlement, and homes will be supplied with water through a temporary external network. Efforts will also focus on locating any remaining wells in closed houses and ensuring they are drained by DEYAA, covering rainwater drainage trenches in Mesochoria, and inspecting the internal networks of water supply and sewage with cameras to identify possible leaks. In the coming days, IGME is expected to release its first brief report on the causes of the phenomenon and ways for radical intervention. The head of IGME’s Technical Geology Department, Eleftheria Bogiatsi, stated after the meeting that the exact cause of the movements has not yet been clarified, but she considers moisture as a highly probable contributing factor. Mayor of Heraklion, Alexis Kalokairinos, emphasized the positive fact that there has been no change in the data over the past 48 hours, thanks to the monitoring system installed by the municipality. He noted that the scenario of a generalized, primary landslide phenomenon has been ruled out according to expert inspections. The mayor also highlighted new measures set to take effect starting Friday, May 2nd, which will demonstrate their effectiveness within just a few days. If necessary, the municipality remains ready for the complete replacement of the networks.