Promoting water-saving solutions on water-scarce Mediterranean islands

At a time of pandemic when the importance of water availability for hygiene could not be made clearer, the ‘Water is in our hands’ initiative will equip all households on the North Aegean island of Agios Efstratios, including tourist lodgings, with water-saving kits containing water-saving devices for the kitchen and bathroom. The GWP-Med team will demonstrate its use through onsite visits, while also educating on good practices on reducing water waste.

The island of Agios Efstratios, inhabited by 268 permanent residents, is the first stop of this new initiative. Agios Efstratios (aka Ai Stratis) is one of the very few Mediterranean islands that do not rely on desalination for water supply. Still, its aquifer is on the verge of salinisation beyond potable standards and, therefore, curbing demand, particularly during the water-stressed summer months is essential for its water security and in order to adapt to climate change. The "Water is in Our Hands" initiative is run in close collaboration with local authorities. It is aligned with Ai Stratis’ vision to become a Green Island and it complements its broader actions for sustainable development, which include a plan to exclusively power of Ai Stratis by renewable energy sources.