Athens Revives 2,000-Year-Old Roman Aqueduct to Address Water Scarcity

The Hadrianic Aqueduct will supply non-potable water for irrigation and cooling efforts, preserving drinking water amid climate challenges.

The 23-kilometer-long Hadrianic Aqueduct, built during Roman times, is being reactivated to provide non-potable water for Athens' parks, gardens, and agriculture.
The project aims to reduce strain on the city's drinking water supply, which is increasingly threatened by climate change and rising temperatures.
New infrastructure is being installed to connect the aqueduct's water to various parts of the city, with plans to save up to 80,000 cubic meters of water annually in some areas.
The initiative is supported by the EU's #WaterWiseEU program and the Greek Ministry of Culture, promoting sustainability and efficient water resource management.
The reactivation is also intended to inspire a cultural shift in water conservation and expand green spaces to mitigate Athens' urban heat island effect.