ATHENS, Greece — In anticipation of the upcoming tourist season, hotels on Greek islands may resort to using seawater in their swimming pools due to ongoing drought conditions, with new legislation currently under discussion in parliament.
The country has been grappling with severe drought for the past two years, and the influx of tourists poses an additional challenge to the already strained water supply, particularly on islands that are popular vacation spots.
Elena Rapti, a deputy minister of tourism, has outlined the government’s intention to address existing legal barriers that currently restrict the use of seawater in private pools. This move is prompted by diminishing water resources on numerous islands.
“This proposed legislation establishes the guidelines for extracting seawater and transferring it to swimming pools. The primary goal is to preserve our water resources,” Rapti explained to a committee in parliament.
Her statements were made during a discussion about a bill aimed at reforming the hospitality industry, with the details of her comments becoming available on the Greek parliament’s official website soon after.
As the temperature rises and the tourism season approaches, the initiative to utilize seawater reflects a growing need for sustainable practices amidst environmental challenges faced by Greece’s iconic islands.
