5. Range of Circumstances in the Cyclades Islands

The Water Region of the Cyclades Islands covers an area of 2,553 km². The region includes 24 inhabited islands, and is characterised by fragmentation in several smaller units with differing climatological, hydrological and geomorphological parameters. The islands are semi-mountainous with small plains and the mean elevation level is 160 m. There are no important rivers due to the small size of the islands, other than torrential ones. Surface water is very limited in this area.

The climate in general is Temperate Mediterranean but it varies on each island according to its geographical position, size and distance from the mainland. The average temperature is 16.5 – 19.5 °C. The average annual rain height is 379 mm for the central and southern islands (data from the Naxos meteorological station) and 349 mm for the northern islands (data from the Athens meteorological station). The total precipitation is 902 hm³/yr. The total estimated runoff is 156 hm³/yr. The amount of evapotranspiration is estimated to be equal to 667 hm³.

Figure 13. Annual rainfall in Naxos Meteorological Station

The geological formations that appear on the islands vary significantly. Metamorphic rocks cover large part of the complex; limestone formations are very limited, whereas volcanic rocks appear on the islands Thira, Milos and Kimolos. The total water availability is about 212 hm³, which consists of 156 hm³ surface water and 55 hm³ potential groundwater that can be found in the karstic and grainy aquifers of the District. Due to the small size of the islands, springs are accordingly small and in many cases problems of brackish water occur.

There are no monitoring results for surface water quality in Cyclades. The most important sources of pollution are agriculture, animal husbandry and domestic wastewater. Similarly, monitoring results for groundwater quality are scarce as well. The underground aquifers are often subject to saline intrusion due to their overabstraction.

The main pollution loads produced in Aegean Islands in 1996 were:

·         BOD₅: 8,000 ton/year

·         TSS: 9,500 ton/year

·         Total nitrogen: 3,400 ton/year

·         Total phosphorus: 500 ton/year

The Cyclades have 112,615 inhabitants. The main economic activities are tourism and agriculture. The total annual water demand is 30.95 hm³, consisting of 7.15 hm³ for domestic use, 21.5 hm³ for agricultural use and 2.3 hm³ for animal husbandry. The region produces 1% of the GNP, while the per capita product is €12,330 and the mean declared income per inhabitant was €4,600 in 2000. The unemployment rate in the region is 12%. The consumption index is estimated at 50% and the population to water resources index is equal to 531. The exploitation index is 15%.

Table 14. Hydrological Data for the Cyclades Islands

Island	Surface (km2)	Precipitation (hm3/yr)	Evapotraspiration (hm3/yr)	Total Runoff (hm3/yr)	Ground Water (hm3/yr)
Amorgos	121	45.9	33.89	3.81	8.10
Anafi	38	14.4	10.66	3.64	0.10
Andros	380	144.0	104.75	25.05	2.80
Antiparos	35	13.3	9.77	2.43	1.00
Folegandros	32	12.1	8.88	1.62	1.50
Ios	108	40.9	30.27	10.39	0.24
Kea	131	49.6	36.10	9.50	0.10
Kimolos	36	13.6	10.06	2.24	1.30
Kythnos	99	37.5	27.25	7.15	0.10
Milos	151	57.2	42.33	12.47	2.40
Mykonos	85	32.2	23.83	8.12	0.25
Naxos	428	162.2	120.03	21.72	20.45
Paros	195	73.9	57.76	8.34	7.90
Serifos	73	27.7	20.50	7.10	0.10
Sifnos	73	27.7	20.50	3.00	4.20
Sikinos	41	15.5	11.47	3.23	0.80
Syros	84	31.8	23.53	7.47	0.80
Thira	76	28.8	21.31	5.69	1.80
Tinos	194	73.5	53.48	13.12	1.10

 

In some islands desalination plants are used to cover water demand and in others water is transferred with tankers from the mainland. Several small dams and water tanks have been constructed and are mainly used for irrigation purposes, and others have been planed and approved for construction in the near future.

Water supply in the region is not regulated by a single authority. The larger islands each have their own water and wastewater services providers, but there are a great number of independent local services, mostly effected through the municipalities. Thus, the pricing of water is a subject of political pressures. Public education for water conservation is limited, and cost recovery is overall poor.

Figure 14. Water uses in Cyclades Islands

Figure 15. Percentage of the total water use in Cyclades Islands in proportion with the water use in the country

Table 15. Cyclades Islands Matrix

Natural conditions and infrastructure	Regional Context	Climate Type	Mediterranean Temperate
		Aridity Index	0.3- Semi-Arid
		Permanent Population	112,615
	Water availability	Total Water Resources / Availability (hm3)	212
		Trans-boundary water	Yes
	Water quality	Quality of surface water	-
		Quality of groundwater	Poor
		Quality of coastal water	Good
	Water Supply	Percentage of supply coming from: v      Groundwater v      Surface water v      Desalination, Recycling v      Importing	22.5% 77.5% Yes Yes
		Network coverage: v      Domestic v      Irrigation v      Sewerage
Economic and Social System	Water use	Water consumption by category: v      Domestic v      Tourism v      Irrigation v      Industrial and energy production	9% 14% 77%
		Population to resources index	531
	Water demand	Water Demand trends	Increasing
		Consumption index	50%
		Exploitation index	15%
	Pricing system	Average household budget for domestic water (pa)	€ 231
		Average household budget for agricultural water
		Average household income	€ 13730
		Cost recovery	Poor
		Price elasticity	Poor
	Social capacity building	Public participation in decisions	Poor
		Public education on water conservation issues	Average
Decision Making Process	Water Resources Management	Water ownership	State
		Decision making level (municipal, regional, national) regarding: v      Water supply for each sector v      Water resources allocation for each sector	Municipal National
	Water Policy	Local economy basis	Tertiary Sector
		Development priorities	Tourism