Athens’ primary water source, the Mornos Reservoir, is facing a severe crisis. Water levels have plummeted to a 15-year low, raising concerns about potential shortages for the greater metropolitan area.
According to the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP), the reservoir’s water reserves have dropped to 192.8 million cubic meters, which is 64 percent below the average level recorded from 2010 to 2024.
A drone footage vividly shows the dramatic decline. In some areas, the receding shoreline has exposed parts of the village of Kallio, which was submerged in 1980 to create the reservoir. This stark visual serves as a powerful reminder of the severity of the situation.
Related: Greece Considers Desalination Units to Combat Drought in Athens
Low rainfall and snowfall trigger Mornos water shortage in Athens, Greece
Kostas Lagouvardos, a Research Director at the National Observatory of Athens, describes the situation as the worst in at least a decade. The primary reason for the crisis is the prolonged lack of precipitation, especially snowfall, which is crucial for replenishing reservoirs.
The lake’s current surface area has shrunk to less than 9 square kilometers, a significant drop from its normal size of 14 square kilometers. While the situation is not as dire as the record-low levels of the early 1990s, Lagouvardos warns that the outlook is “troubling” without significant rainfall this autumn and winter.
The National Observatory of Athens has launched the “Mornos Observatory” on meteo.gr to provide public data and raise awareness about the crisis, encouraging water conservation efforts. For Athens, the coming months are critical, with the hope that sufficient rain and snow will fall to avert a deeper water crisis.
Related: Drought Emergency: Greece Unveils Plan as Attica’s Water Reserves Halved
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