Stage by stage from the second half of this year until the end of 2029, more than one million residents of East Attica are expected to be connected to sewerage systems.Despite EU directives requiring the existence and operation of sewerage networks already since 2005 in settlements of more than 2,000 inhabitants and since 2000 in settlements of more than 15,000 inhabitants, the area of the basin with the highest residential development in recent years still has cesspools. Apart from the environmental problems (there are many illegal connections to storm water drains, and sewage from overflowing cesspools often falls into the streets), they also represent an economic burden for residents: A single-family house incurs a cost of €100 per month for wastewater evacuation, while for an apartment block of 10 flats the cost ranges between €400 and €500 per month. And yet, under EU requirements, settlements should have had a sewerage system 20 to 25 years ago, depending on their population.

Fines from 2015

Already, since 2015, the Court of Justice of the European Communities has imposed fines for non-compliance with European directives in Greece for the settlements of Artemis, Koropi, Rafina and Nea Makri.
Based on the European Union Directive 91/271 on the collection and treatment of urban wastewater and its harmonization in the national legislation, the following are foreseen:

– the settlements in the country with a population equivalent of more than 15,000 inhabitants should have a sewerage system and their wastewater should be subjected to secondary treatment or equivalent by 31-12-2000

– settlements in the country with an equivalent population between 2,000 and 15,000 should have a sewerage network and their wastewater should be subjected to secondary treatment or equivalent by 31-12-2005.

How the projects are progressing – The implementation horizon

Based on these data, EYDAP is constructing a sewage network in areas of the Municipalities of Marathonos, Peania, Palini Rafina-Pikermio, and Spata-Artemida. As noted, “this area has developed rapidly in recent years and therefore the creation of the network was a complex technical process but is now progressing at a satisfactory pace.

The areas where sewerage projects are underway are mainly in settlements with an obligation for integrated wastewater collection and management under the relevant European Directive.
The projects are co-funded by the NSRF and their completion is scheduled for the end of the ESPA 2021-2027 programming period (December 2029).”

At the same time, sewage drainage projects are at the stage of maturity (studies, permits, etc.) for the Municipalities of Saronicos and Oropou. In particular, for Saronicos, the final design of the project has already been commissioned.

In the Municipality of Rafina-Pikermio, contracting works are underway in the following areas for the construction of the sewage network projects:

– Drafi, Pikermi, Dioni with estimated completion around September 2026

– Rafina Centre, Nireas, Neos Voutzas, and Kallitechnoupoli of the Municipality of Rafina-Pikermi with a target completion date of October 2026

In the Municipality of Spata-Artemis, in the area of Etos Steko, a contract for the construction of a hydraulic tunnel, wastewater intake works at the WWTP and the onshore section of the treated effluent disposal pipeline is underway, with completion estimated around October 2026.

In the Municipality of Pallini, the installed works are being developed in the municipal units of Pallini, Gerakas, and Anthousa of the Municipality of Pallini.

According to the current approved project schedule, the works are expected to be completed in the second half of 2025.

In the Municipality of Marathonos, there are currently three established contracts for the construction of the sewerage network in the areas of Nea Makri, Livisi, Zouberi, N. Voutzas, Erythros, Marathon, Ag. Panteleimon, Grammatikou, Kalentziou. According to the current approved schedule, the works are expected to be completed at the end of 2025.

Based on this planning, 400,000 new users (households) are expected to join the sewerage network upon completion of the works.

EWDAP’s plan for East Attica envisages the following 3 Wastewater Treatment Centres (WWTPs)

– The WWTP of the Municipalities of Rafina-Pikermio & Spata-Artemida (equivalent population, service population: 135,000 inhabitants) with an average daily capacity of 15,570 m3/day (Winter), 23,650 m3/day (Summer) – tender in progress

– The Waste Water Treatment Plant of the Municipality of Marathonos (equivalent population, service area: 51,400 inhabitants), with an average daily capacity of wastewater supply: 4,600 m3/day (Winter), 9,880 m3/day (Summer)

– The KEL of the Municipalities of Koropi-Peania (equivalent population, service area: 100,000 inhabitants) has been constructed for an average daily capacity of 18,000 m3/day (Winter/Spring) and is in normal operation by EYDAP S.A.

Based on the existing data, the total annual operating costs of the wastewater treatment plants of East Attica are estimated to be around 5.500.000 €/year.

It should be noted that in the last two years, the European Commission has been promoting a proposal for a revision of the Directive, which was adopted by the European Parliament on 10/4/2024 and is pending formal approval by the European Council before its implementation.

Based on the proposed revision of Directive 91/271, the following are foreseen:

(i) Member States undertake that all agglomerations ≥ 2000 p.e.: a) have a sewerage system and at least secondary treatment; and b) all urban wastewater sources are connected to the network.
(ii) By 31/12/2035 Member States shall undertake to require that all agglomerations ≥ 1000 p.e.: (a) have a sewerage and treatment system; and (b) all urban wastewater sources are connected to the collecting system.

All sewage treatment plants must be connected to the network.
The next stage

According to the National Operational Plan of the Ministry of Environment for the 3rd priority settlements of the Region of Attica (population between 2,000-15,000 inhabitants), it is planned to build a sewerage network in the next few years in the following areas of North & South Attica:

– settlements of Kapandritiou / Polyendriou / Mikrochori & Afidnon of the Municipality of Oropou (recipient: KEL Metamorfosi),

– settlement of Kitsi of the Municipality of Koropi (recipient: KEL Psyttaleia)

– settlements of Markopoulou Oropou, Nea Palatia, Chalkoutsiou & Avlona of the Municipality of Oropou (construction of new KEL Oropou-Chalkoutsiou)