Athens is set to breathe new life back to its ancient infrastructure as plans forge ahead for the reactivation of the 2,000-year-old Hadrianic aqueduct, aiming to tackle the severe water scarcity exacerbated by record-breaking June heat.
With temperatures climbing to over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and nightly lows hardly dipping below 30 degrees, June 2024 has been recorded as the hottest June since records began. Local authorities are optimistic this restoration project can provide both immediate relief and promote long-term sustainability as part of the city’s fight against climate challenges.
The Hadrianic aqueduct, which runs approximately 23 kilometers primarily underground, was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian and completed shortly after his death. The aqueduct is not only viewed as an architectural marvel of ancient Greek engineering but also symbolizes the historical importance of Athens as it served the population with water for centuries.
Efforts to reactivate this monumental structure are focused mainly on the suburb of Chalandri, where experts aim to connect the aqueduct's water flow to the municipal water system. A recent report on ERT highlights the aqueduct's course, which will also run near significant landmarks such as the Olympic Stadium before terminating at Kolonaki, one of the most affluent areas of the city.
Notably, the project is supported by the Greek Ministry of Culture and the European Union's #WaterWiseEU initiative, aimed at enhancing resource efficiency and sustainability amid increasing pressure on European water systems.
The reactivated aqueduct will serve as a conduit for non-potable water, which can be utilized for the irrigation of gardens, parks, and urban agriculture. This initiative is expected to conserve precious drinking water supplies, with estimates indicating up to 80,000 cubic meters of water could be saved annually through its effective utilization.
Giorgos Sachinis, Strategy Chief of the Athens Water Company, emphasizes the project's broader impacts: "Letztlich wollen wir eine neue Kultur schaffen – mehr Grünflächen und weniger Verschwendung von Trinkwasser," which translates to "ultimately, we want to create a new culture – more green spaces and less waste of drinking water."
For the project to be successful, it will require substantial new piping to deliver water from the ancient aqueduct to residents and businesses. This is seen as part of Athens’ long-term strategy not just to restore the aqueduct but to educate citizens about the importance of water conservation.
According to Katerina Dimitrou, the Head of the Water Works, "Es ist eine architektonische Errungenschaft seiner Zeit," or "It is an architectural achievement of its time," indicating both pride and urgency behind this restoration effort.
The aqueduct's potential goes beyond merely providing water for irrigation; it stands to transform how green spaces are integrated throughout the urban environment. Urban planners envision the aqueduct facilitating the development of parks and greenery along its path, thereby mitigating the effects of urban heat islands often felt across Athens.
Currently, much of the water from this aqueduct flows unused directly to the sea, marking the importance of this initiative as both environmentally necessary and historically significant. Local communities are being engaged to determine how best to incorporate the water supply from the aqueduct, fostering local involvement.
While challenges loom—particularly the need for infrastructure upgrades—the Greek government sees the reactivation project as not only timely but necessary as Greece faces recurrent summer heatwaves. Experts suggest there is significant ground and rainwater still to be harvested along the aqueduct’s route, alleviating some of the water shortages for the growing metropolitan population.
The Hadrianic aqueduct embodies both the artistic prowess of ancient Greek architecture and the practical challenges of modern water management. Its reactivation could well signal the beginning of a new chapter for Athens, one where history meets innovative solutions aimed at combating contemporary problems of heat and water scarcity.
By bridging the old with the new, the restoration of this aqueduct has the potential to enrich Athens’ cultural heritage, providing both functional water for urban needs and creating green spaces for future generations.
Consequently, the city hopes to shift public perception on the usage of drinking water, stressing the need for conservation and awareness within the community.
Moving forward, as the summer heat persistently bears down on Athens, the reemergence of the Hadrianic aqueduct offers not just historical reflection, but practical urgency—proving once again the past can inform solutions for the future.
