Water Bills Set to Rise Across Greece Amid Drought and Tourism Surge

Several regions in Greece are facing water bill increases to address rising operational costs and reduced revenues for municipal water companies. According to well-informed sources from newsit.gr, the new regulatory framework allows for water bill hikes of at least 2.6% in 2024, aligning with inflation rates. However, if operational costs remain uncovered, further increases may be proposed by water supply companies. Proposals must be submitted to the Regulatory Authority for Waste Management, Energy, and Water (RAADAEW) for final approval. Notably, major suppliers like EYDAP (Athens – Piraeus) and DEYATH (Thessaloniki), which serve over half of Greece’s population, might avoid price hikes despite the possibility of a 2.6% increase. Meanwhile, the government is preparing a €10 billion investment plan to combat drought through infrastructure improvements, nearly doubling the estimated €5.5 billion required just four years ago due to increased tourist numbers and water consumption.