Corfu Drought: Desalination Plant Delays Raise Concerns in Parliament
Corfu, June 3 – The persistent issue of water scarcity on Corfu and the significant delays in major water supply projects have once again come to the forefront. Independent MP for Corfu, Alexandros-Christos Avlonitis, has submitted an urgent question to Parliament, pressing the Ministry of Environment and Energy for clarification on the progress of the desalination and softening plant in Chrysiida, as well as the overall development of critical dam projects aimed at addressing Corfu’s long-term water problems.
New State of Emergency Declared Due to Water Scarcity
As highlighted in the parliamentary question, Corfu was declared a state of emergency due to water scarcity on March 20, 2026, a measure set to last until June 20, 2026. This decision was prompted by a significant drop in groundwater levels, which, according to the MP’s data, poses serious risks to the adequate water supply for homes, businesses, and tourist facilities during the upcoming summer season. The problem is not confined to isolated areas but affects a large part of the island, with communities experiencing prolonged water cuts lasting hours or even days.
Chrysiida Desalination and Softening Plant at the Center of Attention
A central point of Avlonitis’s parliamentary intervention is the construction of the desalination and softening plant in the Chrysiida area. The MP reminded that on May 23, 2025, an inter-ministerial meeting was held for this specific project. At that time, government announcements stated that funding had been secured from the Ministries of Environment and Energy, National Economy and Finance, as well as the Ionian Islands Region. Government officials had even described the project as being of “exceptional importance” and “high priority” for Corfu, with clear timelines and specific commitments for its implementation.
However, a year later, the MP asserts that there has been no visible progress regarding the initiation or advancement of the project.
Questions Regarding Desalination Funding
In his urgent question, Avlonitis demands clarification on whether the allocated financial resources have been disbursed by the relevant ministries and what the current stage of the project’s implementation process is. The MP also requests specific timelines for the commencement and completion of the works, emphasizing that Corfu cannot continue to face the same problems each year without permanent solutions.
Dams and Associated Projects
Beyond Chrysiida, the intervention also addresses the large-scale water storage and management projects that have been announced for the island. Alexandros Avlonitis notes that dams and their associated works are considered fundamental interventions for the long-term resolution of water scarcity, yet there has been no substantial progress to date. In his question, he seeks information on the current stage of planning and funding for these projects, as well as the government’s intention to secure the necessary national contribution for their implementation.
An Issue with Direct Implications for Tourism
This issue holds particular significance for Corfu’s tourism economy, as the island is one of Greece’s most important destinations. The adequacy of water resources is a critical factor for the operation of hotels, tourist businesses, and hospitality infrastructure, especially during the summer months when the island’s population multiplies due to visitor arrivals. The repeated declaration of a state of emergency due to water scarcity highlights the severity of the problem and increases pressure for the acceleration of necessary projects.
Clear Commitments Demanded
The Corfu MP calls on the Ministry of Environment and Energy to provide concrete answers regarding the commitments made in recent years concerning the island’s water supply. As he argues in his question, the residents of Corfu continue to await the definitive solutions that have been repeatedly announced, while the reality remains the same, with the island once again facing serious water sufficiency problems this year.
The discussion of the urgent question in Parliament is expected to bring the issue of Corfu’s water supply back into the spotlight and provide an opportunity for the government to present the progress of the projects and the next steps to address a problem that directly affects the daily lives of residents and the operation of the tourist destination.
