Reviving an Ancient Water Source: Athens' First Line of Defense Against Drought

In response to record-breaking summer heat and dwindling reservoirs, Athens has turned to its historical infrastructure, the Roman-era Hadrian's Aqueduct, to address urgent water supply challenges. Yearly droughts have placed pressure on farmers and heightened municipal water demands, prompting local authorities to not only seek modern solutions—like artificial lakes and desalination plants—but also to breathe new life into this ancient engineering marvel.

"This is a monumental opportunity to leverage a historic structure as a contemporary answer to our water issues," expressed Katerina Dimitrou from the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company, which is collaborating with cultural and governmental entities to oversee the aqueduct's rehabilitation. The project aims to supplement Athens’ water supply and enhance urban greenery to combat the urban heat phenomenon, thereby fostering a sustainable "new water culture" for the city.

To facilitate the aqueduct’s revitalization, the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) is working in collaboration with the Culture Ministry and other authorities. They are innovating ways to utilize this ancient structure to improve the city's water management system while preserving its historical significance.

As modern pressures mount, initiatives like the regeneration of Hadrian’s Aqueduct highlight the interconnectedness of ancient solutions and present-day challenges, showcasing a testament to human resilience and creativity in the face of climate adversity.