In brief
Climate change is pushing Athens' water reserves to dangerous lows, prompting a return to a historic aqueduct for support.
In a bid to combat severe drought and water scarcity worsened by record-breaking temperatures, Athens is reviving Hadrian's Aqueduct, an ancient structure that dates back to Roman times. With reservoirs dwindling, the city's water supply has reached its lowest in a decade. Farmers are facing crop failures, wildfires are burning more fiercely, and community members are resorting to prayers for rain. To address these challenges, along with investing in modern infrastructures like artificial lakes and desalination units, city officials are looking to the past. "We have an ancient monument and feat of engineering that we’re bringing into the present to save water and cool the city,” explains Katerina Dimitrou from the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company. The revived aqueduct aims to not only supplement water supplies but also nourish green spaces, fostering a sustainable water culture for the city’s future.
