Large irrigation projects bundle in Western Greece to be funded by the European Recovery Fund

The anti-flood and water package in Etoloakarnania is on track for implementation. These are land improvement projects in Amvrakia, Amfilochia and Valto (phase A) in Etoloakarnania. The projects have a total cost of 82.2 million euros divided into 70 million euros for the projects and 12.2 million euros for expropriations.

By decision of the Ministry of Finance, the projects in these areas were included in the Recovery Fund, which paves the way for the implementation of these important regional projects.

The projects are included in the section of “Anti-Flood Projects” of the Recovery Fund and their Implementation Body is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The same package also includes the anti-flood works in Oreokastro Thessaloniki, and in Loutraki, with the tenders being ongoing, while anti-flood works in Lasithi are also included.

The tender for the Lasithi projects is expected to be announced in the next period of time and they have until the 4th quarter of 2023 for the relevant contracts to be signed. At the end of 2024, 60% of their total value should have been executed (with corresponding certification of the independent engineer’s report by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

At the end of 2025, the projects should be completed with corresponding certification of the completion report by an independent engineer of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The significant benefits of the project

The most important positive effects that the project is expected to have relate to:

• Increase agricultural productivity in the service area.

• Depopulation of the settlements in the area.

• Anti-flood protection of the E/B project area of Valtos and Amvrakia – Amfilochia

• Protection of the HY EL041500040 from further degradation and, over time, improvement of its quantitative status through the cessation of irrigation drilling in the perimeter of the projects

• Protection of Lake Amvrakia through cessation of pumping from related WWTPs that are in hydrological/hydrogeological contact with the lake.

It is noted that pumping from the lake itself has already been suspended due to the increased levels of sulfates and chlorides in the lake (of natural origin).

The above is expected to improve the living conditions of the residents and cohesion at the regional level. The beneficiary population is the one who lives in the wider area, because the proposed projects will ensure adequate irrigation of the cultivated areas, with a direct consequence of their upgrading.

The main objective of the project is the supply of water for agricultural use in the study area due to deficit irrigation of existing crops and the need to develop new crops.

The provision of additional water creates the conditions for the modernization of existing irrigation methods and means, sustainable planning in the management of water resources, the release of quantities of water from underground aquifers for other uses and the improvement of the living conditions of the inhabitants and the cohesion in a regional level.

What will be built in Etoloakarnania

However, important projects are planned in the region of Aitoloakarnania and more specifically in the regions of Ambrakia, Amfilochia and Valtos

A) Land improvement projects of the lakeside areas of Amvrakia-Amfilochia, which include:

• Tubular irrigation water networks,

• Four Suction/Re – adjustment tanks,

• Two irrigation pumping stations, A1m and A2m,

• Sewage network in the downstream areas,

• Culverts for traffic on the rural roads that will be created,

• Arrangements of streams and ditches

• Upgrading and improving the existing rural roads to install an irrigation pipeline,

• Other accompanying projects (devices, wells, etc.).

With the completion of the above projects, from the total gross area of 12,760 acres in the study area, 11,500 acres of net area will be irrigated.

B) Ground improvement projects of phase Α of Valtos areas, which include:

• Central Lake Reservoir with a useful volume of 17 thousand m3,

• 200 m3 tanks (D2, D3, D4, D5), which will serve the upstream areas during peak demand hours,

• Suction tank (D1) and the pumping station AB1,

• Pipeline network for the transport and distribution of water in the irrigation zones of phase A,

• Technical projects for the passage of pipelines in streams and drainage ditches and from road axes,

• Anti-flood-sewage networks

• Rural road construction projects

• Other accompanying projects (devices, wells, etc.).

With the completion of the above projects, from the total gross area of 25,186 acres in the study area, 21,985 acres of net area will be irrigated.

Object of Sub-project 2: Compilation of the expropriations required for the implementation of the projects.

Object of Sub-project 3: Relocation of the utility networks (PPC, EYDAP, OTE, DESFA, E.A.K.A.A., etc.) required for the implementation of the projects.

Object of Sub-project 4: Implementation of the archaeological investigations and works to be carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities.

Object of Sub-Project 5: Recruitment of a Technical Consultant to support the Beneficiary in monitoring and assisting in the supervision of the project.