Water shortages are no obstacle to construction, but more rules must be introduced
There are no restrictions regarding the site or size of a swimming pool, or the availability of water, so there are private pools even in areas with serious water shortages, or where the house is just a short distance from the sea. There are fines for using sea water, which is banned for use in private pools. Although a building permit is required, there is no rule about getting permission from the local water authority. Building a pool is only prohibited in listed settlements where it would interfere with the traditional architectural style – although this does not seem to apply to the Plaka district of Athens. «There are no prohibitions and no inspections,» says Maria Mimikou, dean of the civil engineering department at the National Technical University. «But let’s not demonize pools, because the amount of water they require is nothing compared to what is wasted in farming, for example. But it wouldn’t hurt to have a few basic restrictions, particularly in the eastern parts of the country, where there are serious water shortages, particularly on the islands.» A small pool measuring 10 by 15 meters requires about 75,000 liters of water to fill it, as much as a two-member household consumes over eight months. About a tenth of the water in a pool evaporates every month and a small amount is lost when the pool is cleaned. «If a pool is maintained properly, the water only needs replacing every three years,» said Mary Vitalioti of the Mesogeios SOS organization. «Of course in most cases the owners replace it once a year, particularly in holiday homes. There are no restrictions, as long as they pay for the water.» The state virtually forces people to use fresh water. «Pumping water from the sea is prohibited, but in any case, to use salt water in a pool you need special equipment,» explained Bati. Water that is removed from a pool is emptied into the drains, if they exist, or else a tanker truck has to be called in. In the worst-case scenario, old wells are used to dispose of the water, meaning that chlorinated water enters the water table, a frequent occurrence, particularly in the newer suburbs not yet connected to a sewage system.
