Residents and visitors on the Greek island of Aegina continue to face serious water supply problems, months after a new underwater pipeline meant to secure drinking water for the island repeatedly malfunctioned.
The pipeline project, designed to permanently address the island’s long-standing water shortages, was launched in 2015 and completed on December 6, 2023. Under the contract, the construction contractor is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the system for three years after completion.
However, two major failures have disrupted the system and left the island struggling with unreliable and undrinkable water.
Repeated pipeline failures
The first breakdown occurred on January 24, 2024, only weeks after the project was delivered. The malfunction cut off the island’s water supply, prompting Attica regional governor Nikos Hardalias to demand immediate repairs.
On February 2, 2024, Hardalias filed a legal complaint with prosecutors in the port city of Piraeus seeking an investigation into potential responsibility for the failure.
According to the prosecutor’s findings, the problem was linked to faulty pipe welding during construction, suggesting that required specifications may not have been followed in the thermal welding process.
The contractor carried out temporary repairs, restoring the water supply on March 24, 2024, while authorities awaited a detailed plan for a permanent solution.
Second breakdown halts supply again
Before permanent repairs were completed, the pipeline failed again on December 16, 2025. The new malfunction occurred at the same location where the earlier repair had been made.
In response, the Attica regional administration submitted a second request to prosecutors on January 12, 2026, asking for a further investigation into possible criminal responsibility, including delays in permanently fixing the damage. The request was also forwarded to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Repairs underway
Following an underwater inspection carried out by divers and specialized vessels, repair work began on February 9, 2026. According to the contractor’s estimates, the repairs are expected to be completed by the end of March.
The damaged section of the pipeline lies about 50 meters below sea level, making the work technically demanding and heavily dependent on weather conditions.
Once repairs and testing are completed, the pipeline will resume operation while additional work continues to reinforce the system.
Emergency water supplies delivered
In the meantime, authorities have taken emergency measures to support the island’s population.
The Attica regional government has delivered 3,786 tons of drinking water using a Hellenic Navy water tanker, along with 75,000 bottles of water, equivalent to 112.5 tons of bottled supply.
Under Greek law, the municipality of Aegina is responsible for ensuring the quality of the island’s drinking water and for carrying out chemical and microbiological tests.
After receiving complaints from residents, regional authorities conducted repeated water quality checks and sent the results to the local municipality, urging officials to take immediate corrective action.
