Four drinking water projects worth €25.2 million still under review in Rhodope
Four drinking water projects proposed for Rhodope, with a combined value of around €25.2 million, remain under evaluation, according to a response from Greece's Interior Ministry to a parliamentary question by Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat.
The ministry's response provided information on projects addressing drought and drinking water supply, as well as new proposals submitted by municipalities in Rhodope under the “Antonis Tritsis” funding programme.
The parliamentary question was submitted by Ferhat, who sought information on the status of drinking water projects in Rhodope and measures to improve local water networks.
AROUND €420,000 IN PROJECTS ALREADY INCLUDED
According to the ministry's response, projects concerning municipalities in Rhodope with a total value of approximately €420,000 have been included in the Interior Ministry's Sectoral Development Programme.
The projects cover Kozlukebir Municipality, Maronia-Sapes Municipality and the Gümülcine (Komotini) Municipal Water and Sewerage Company (DEYAK).
They include drought-mitigation measures in Kozlukebir Municipality, improvements to the external drinking water network serving coastal settlements in Gümülcine Municipality, and upgrades to drinking water wells in Maronia-Sapes Municipality.
FOUR PROJECTS WORTH €25.2 MILLION REMAIN UNDER REVIEW
Four additional proposals from Rhodope, worth a combined approximately €25.2 million, were submitted under funding calls within the “Antonis Tritsis” programme.
One proposal, valued at €2,938,993, was submitted by Kozlukebir Municipality for the supply and installation of equipment to monitor hydraulic operating parameters and the water balance of its existing water transmission and distribution networks.
DEYAK submitted a €3,390,019 proposal aimed at improving the energy efficiency of drinking water and wastewater pumping stations.
Yassıköy Municipality submitted a €1,999,894.32 proposal to improve the energy efficiency of drinking water wells and pumping stations.
The largest application, worth €16,871,200, was submitted by DEYAK for the Semetli Dam project.
The Interior Ministry said the four applications have not yet been included in the programme and are being assessed to determine whether they can be financed through an appropriate funding instrument.
THREE MORE PROJECTS UNDER THE REGIONAL PROGRAMME
The ministry also said that three drinking water projects in Rhodope, with total eligible expenditure of €130,107.90, have been included in and are being implemented under the Development Programme of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region.
The projects include drilling drinking water wells in the Sapes municipal unit, supplying hydraulic equipment for Kozlukebir Municipality and drilling a new G6 drinking water well to serve coastal settlements.
According to the ministry, the G6 well project is still ongoing.
The ministry added that it had requested additional information from the municipalities of Gümülcine, Kozlukebir, Yassıköy and Maronia-Sapes and would provide a further response after receiving the requested information.
FERHAT CALLS FOR CONCRETE DECISIONS
Ferhat said the ministry's response outlined several projects that have already been included in funding programmes or are under implementation, but also highlighted what he described as a significant funding gap in the region.
Pointing to the more than €25 million in proposals still under evaluation, Ferhat said drought, ageing water infrastructure and rising drinking water demand could not be addressed through isolated interventions alone.
He called for a comprehensive plan, a clear timetable, secured funding and concrete regional priorities for drinking water infrastructure in Rhodope.
Ferhat also said projects such as the Semetli Dam, alongside efforts to improve the energy efficiency and operation of water networks and wells, should move from the evaluation stage toward concrete decisions and implementation.
The MP said he would continue to monitor the progress of the proposals and seek clear answers and timetables from the government concerning access to adequate and safe drinking water in Rhodope.
