Repair of water grid has priority
The water supply of Iraklion is a longstanding problem, but the dam – promoted from time to time by politicians as a solution – reflects the perceptions of the 1970s, when the project was conceived. Meanwhile the water supply grid of Iraklion is in a poor state of repair, with leakages wasting up to 40 percent of the supply. Even so, the needed funds to set it right have never been secured. Alternative solutions that would be cheaper, take less time and cause less social and environmental upheaval have never been implemented. For instance, the Almyros River flows with fresh water for three months and salt water for the rest of the year. Local environmental organizations have recommended desalinating it, a cheap solution that is used successfully in many countries. But that too presupposes repairs to the water grid.
