Officials in Athens are turning to a 2,000-year-old solution to address modern water shortages in a city battling rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall. Greece is reviving Hadrian’s Aqueduct, a Roman-era engineering marvel, to supply non-drinking water for everyday tasks like garden irrigation and street cleaning.
Built in 140 A.D. under Roman Emperor Hadrian, the aqueduct stretches over 12 miles beneath the city. The Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and local officials, is restoring this ancient system to help ease the strain on the city’s drinking water supply.
The initiative, known as the “Cultural Hydrant” project, has received €3.1 million (USD 3.32 million) in funding from the European Union. It is the first network in Athens, Greece, to provide non-potable water for non-drinking purposes.
The goal is to reduce demand on the city’s reservoirs, which have reached their lowest levels in a decade due to climate change and increased water usage caused by wildfires.
#WorldWaterDay 💧
In Athens, Hadrian responded to the fundamental need for water by commissioning the building of a new aqueduct. Its construction started in AD 125 and was completed fifteen years later in AD 140, during the reign of Antoninus Pius. pic.twitter.com/ag4KOqf3JA— Following Hadrian (@carolemadge) March 22, 2021
Residents support the project
In Chalandri, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece, around 250 residents have applied to connect their homes to the aqueduct. The project’s first phase involves building a four-kilometer (about 2.5 miles)-long pipeline to deliver this water directly to homes. Residents will use the water for car washing, watering plants, and cleaning.
Municipal water trucks will deliver the aqueduct’s water to households farther away. During the first six months, this water will be provided free of charge.
Project manager Christos Giovanopoulos emphasized the positive approach of offering an alternative water source rather than restricting usage. “You can discourage people from using water or encourage them to use other sources. This is more positive,” Giovanopoulos said.
A treasure hidden in plain sight
Despite its historical significance, many Athenians are unaware of the aqueduct’s existence. Its central reservoir lies beneath Dexameni Square, a popular spot known for its outdoor cinema and café.
Café owner Nektarios Nikolopoulos noted that most visitors are drawn by the café’s charm rather than the aqueduct’s history. “Ninety-five percent of customers don’t know the aqueduct exists. They know Dexameni for the café, not its history,” Nikolopoulos said.
A step toward sustainability
While the aqueduct’s contribution to the city’s overall water use is small, officials believe the long-term savings will be significant.
EYDAP President George Stergiou highlighted the importance of the project in promoting sustainable water practices. “It does not constitute a solution for water scarcity. However, it signifies the beginning of a completely new era where, for uses such as irrigation and industrial purposes, potable water will not be used,”
He praised the aqueduct as “an invaluable cultural treasure” and a proof of human ingenuity and lasting infrastructure.
Officials aim to expand the project to other municipalities along the aqueduct’s route, hoping to save over 250 million gallons of water yearly. As Greece grapples with the effects of climate change, the restored aqueduct offers a blend of historical wisdom and modern innovation.