RESTORATION OF NETWORKS IN FIRE-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES - GRANT SCHEMES FOR ELECTRIC GENERATORS AND PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS - Filenews 9/10 by Angelos Nikolaou
Following a proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, a package of additional measures totalling €700,000 was approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers, which aim to fully restore the water supply networks and strengthen the operational readiness of local authorities in cases of emergencies.
The decision concerns the approval of additional measures to restore and strengthen the water supply and irrigation infrastructure of the communities affected by the fires of July 23 and 24, 2025.
The new government decision is divided into two main pillars of intervention:
-Permanent undergrounding projects (€200,000): Full state funding has been approved for the implementation of permanent restoration and undergrounding works of the water supply networks in four fire-affected communities: Arsos, Kivides, Souni – Zanatzia, Potami. The aim of the project is to definitively solve the water supply problems, eliminate the risk of new damage from future fires and ensure the uninterrupted supply of water to the residents.
-Re-announcement of the Grant Scheme for Electric Generators (€500,000): The Council of Ministers approved the re-announcement of the Grant Scheme for the supply and installation of electric generators in water supply and irrigation infrastructure. At the same time, the plan is being expanded to cover the purchase of trailed transport bases, allowing the rapid movement of generators to where there is a need. To ensure the fair distribution of resources, the percentages of the state grant are determined as follows: 100% funding for the supply/installation of electric generators in water supply and irrigation infrastructure in the communities that have been designated as fire-affected by the fires of July 2025. For the purchase of trailer transport bases for the generators of the fire-affected communities.
80% funding for the supply/installation of electric generators in the water supply infrastructure of non-fire-affected communities or Community Clusters and for the purchase of trailed transport bases in non-fire-affected areas.
The coordination, announcement, evaluation and implementation of the Plan is entirely undertaken by the Water Development Department (WDD).
As specified in the decision, the local authorities and the beneficiary bodies will be responsible for the preparation of the technical studies, the supply and maintenance of the equipment, while the operating costs (fuel and maintenance) will be borne by the beneficiaries themselves.
According to the data submitted to the Council of Ministers, yesterday's decision comes in addition to a wider rehabilitation program that has been underway since 2025. To date, the Water Development Department has already allocated €1,281,630 for the affected areas, which are analyzed as follows:
➧ €484,351 for the construction of Gabions for flood protection and protection of the Kouris dam.
➧ €296,639 for immediate restoration of water supply/irrigation infrastructure and staff overtime.
➧ €500,640 for the first cycle of the Electric Generator Grant Scheme.
With the new approval of €700,000 from WDD budget savings for 2026, the State confirms in practice its will to make mountain communities resilient to the challenges of the climate crisis. As stated regarding the proposal to the Council of Ministers, it will contribute to the definitive and more durable restoration of the damage to the water supply networks of the fire-affected communities, reducing the risk of new damage and ensuring the uninterrupted water supply.
