The picturesque Athens Riviera is facing serious sewage issues with illegal connections and an ageing system. (Image: Getty)
Just a short 10-mile bus ride south of the bustling capital lies the stunning Rivera, which boasts fantastic local beaches bordered by palm trees, waterfront cafes and idyllic pedestrian streets and marinas.
However, the picturesque region is facing serious sewage overflow issues, with wastewater flooding its major coastal roads and even reaching the sea.
This has caused a major risk to public health, the and marine life.
Local officials placed the blame on illegal stormwater connections and ageing drainage .
“The weakness in the network has been known for decades,” said Alimos Mayor Andreas Kondylis. “Last year, we four times, and the year before that, the same.”
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During heavy periods of rain, the overflow contaminates the water in the stunning Alimos Marina. (Image: Getty)
Pumping Station 31, located on Poseidonos Avenue near Alimos Marina, is a critical junction for the sewage system serving Athens’ southern suburbs. However, during periods of heavy rain, the system becomes completely overwhelmed, forcing raw sewage onto the streets.
“Now we have a new ‘Greek innovation’ – a truck pressing down the manhole cover to prevent overflow,” explained Mayor Kondylis. “But it’s still better than turning the coastal road into a swamp.”
The overflow also contaminates the stunning Alimos Marina – the most historic and largest Marina in Greece – where sewage mixes with stormwater and flows directly into the sea. The is having a detrimental effect on marine biodiversity and emits a foul smell that lingers in the area for several days.
“What seemed like an ideal place to live has become unbearable,” said Evangelos P, a longtime Alimos resident, according to . “Two of my friends moved away because of the stench and noise.”
Residents near the Pikrodafni Stream, close to Pumping Station 29, report similar issues.
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Varkiza has also been affected by sewage overflows (Image: Getty)
Some suspect that sewage is illegally discharged into the stream via stormwater drains. Tests have confirmed high levels of fecal , supporting claims of contamination.
The Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) maintains that Pikrodafni should only carry stormwater and that any illegal waste disposal is beyond its jurisdiction. However, a 2018 EYDAP report highlighted the need for infrastructure upgrades at four pumping stations, including Station 29.
Varkiza – home to the most famous summer club in Athens – has also reported similar issues, with Mayor Grigoris Konstantellos of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni reporting that overflows occur once or twice a year, particularly after September’s first heavy rains.
“Sewage reaches the fishing harbour, causing unbearable discomfort,” he said. “We’ve been promised a larger pipeline, but we don’t know when it will be completed.”
Local officials and residents have demanded urgent action to modernise the sewage infrastructure and prevent further environmental damage to Athens’ treasured coastal zone.