In June 2024, the heat in the Greek capital Athens was unbearable. A special measure should provide relief in the future: the reactivation of the 2,000-year-old, 23-kilometer-long Roman Hadrian aqueduct.
Temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius during the day and at night, with the thermometer not dropping below 30 degrees, made life difficult for the residents of Athens. It was the warmest June ever recorded. The goal is to remedy the situation by reactivating the Hadrian Aqueduct.
An old building still carries water
The structure is largely underground, is well preserved and transports water. In many places there are still above-ground wells where people could once help themselves. The aqueduct was built on behalf of Emperor Hadrian (born in 76; reign from 117 to 138 AD), who, as a convinced fan of Athens, was responsible for many large buildings that can still be admired in the capital today. It was completed shortly after the emperor’s death.
EU support
The project to revive the aqueduct in the Athens suburb of Chalandri has made particularly good progress, with experts from the Athens Waterworks working on using the structure. A report by the broadcaster ERT shows the process in the Olympic Stadium of Athens, among other places. The aqueduct eventually ends in the chic Kolonaki district of the city center.
The measure is supported by the Athens Ministry of Culture and the EU. This is where the #WaterWiseEU project is located, which promotes greater water protection, resource efficiency and sustainability in the face of increasing pressure on Europe’s water systems.
Irrigation of parks and gardens
The water to be obtained via the Hadrian Aqueduct is industrial water. Residents can use it to irrigate gardens, parks and agriculture, preserving the valuable source of drinking water. It is estimated that this could save up to 80,000 cubic meters of water annually in Chalandri alone.
This requires a number of new pipes to be installed so that the water from the aqueduct can reach the people – a gigantic project. But anyway, those responsible are planning for the long term: they not only want to use the aqueduct and its water, but also want to change the way of thinking among the inhabitants of the greater Athens area by reactivating the archaeological structure. “Ultimately we want to create a new culture – more green spaces and less waste of drinking water,” says Giorgos Sachinis, head of strategy at Athens Waterworks.
Green spaces against heat
The Hadrian Aqueduct not only uses water from the Parnitha Mountains, but also collects groundwater along its route. “This is important because the more water is used, the more is used,” explains project manager Christos Giovanopoulos. According to the plan, many more green spaces could be created along the aqueduct’s route, which would have a positive impact on the heat island of Athens.
Each community along the aqueduct must be able to decide for itself how exactly it should be integrated into the water supply – also to allow people to participate. “It is an architectural achievement of its time,” says Katerina Dimitrou, head of the water company. “And today it is also a practical response to the demands arising from water scarcity.” Athenians must realize that drinking water is a valuable commodity. Not least because the water from the Hadrian Aqueduct flows unused into the sea.
Source: Krone
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