The Messara Plain is drying up: reckless over-pumping can lead to land subsidence. The municipality of Heraklion is requesting that a state of emergency be declared due to water shortages.
The Mesara Plain is drying up
In the Mesara Basin, Crete’s most important agricultural region, numerous groundwater wells have caused the water table to drop significantly.
Despite heavy rainfall, the water is now about 50 metres below sea level. This is causing considerable problems for agriculture and the environment in the area.
Studies also show that land subsidence is already occurring in some places.
The fact that the region is so dependent on groundwater for irrigation makes the situation even more critical.
1,400 geothermal wells
The Mesara Plain is the largest and most productive arable land in Crete.
Agriculture is in full swing here, especially olive cultivation.
Around 41% of the area is covered with olive groves, and about 58% of these are permanently irrigated.
A precise count has revealed that there are around 1,400 boreholes in the region.
Almost all of them are used to extract water for irrigation.
The data comes from a network of 767 measuring stations that were set up between 2021 and 2023.
There has never been such a systematic recording in Crete before.
Facts about the boreholes in the Mesara Plain | Details |
|---|---|
Total number of boreholes | approx. 1,400 |
Proportion of boreholes in Crete as a whole | 30–40% |
Measuring stations for data monitoring | 767 |
Data collection period | 2021–2023 |
Area covered by olive groves | approx. 41% of the region |
Proportion of irrigated olive groves | approx. 58.29% of olive groves |
All of these boreholes lack a common plan for water extraction.
As a result, the number of boreholes is increasing without any real control.
Many experts are sounding the alarm, saying that this could go seriously wrong.
Problems caused by the boreholes
- Too much water is being extracted, causing the water table to drop.
- Less water in the soil leads to subsidence and settlement.
- Without control, soil quality will deteriorate even further.
- Agricultural production, especially of olives, is hanging in the balance.
The drilling is directly linked to the success of agriculture.
In such a dry area as Mesara, nothing works without groundwater.
Agricultural irrigation figures
Crop | Proportion of irrigated land | Importance for Mesara |
|---|---|---|
Olive groves | 58.29% irrigated | Main source of income |
Other crops | Variable | Supplementary use |
Monitoring and future
The 767 measuring stations help to monitor the situation more effectively.
They show how much water is being extracted and how the water level is developing.
Nevertheless, there is no real plan to slow down the growth of drilling or to use water more sustainably.
At present, the operation of the boreholes is fairly unregulated.
With more control and targeted planning, land subsidence and other environmental damage could perhaps be avoided.
Sources:
Land subsidence
Using too much groundwater causes the water table to drop significantly.
During the construction of the Faneromeni dam (1999–2005), it was possible to see the water layers recover briefly.
However, further dams did not have the desired effect because water consumption simply remained too high.
When the groundwater level drops, the soil loses the buoyancy that the water previously provided.
The soil becomes compacted and subsides—but not everywhere to the same extent.
This causes considerable problems.
Consequences of land subsidence:
- Soil compaction: The pores close when there is no more water.
- Uneven land subsidence: Some areas sink more than others.
- Risk of flooding: Depressed areas absorb water, which then cannot drain away and causes flooding.
Experts say that such ground subsidence has not yet occurred in large settlements.
Rather, it affects roads and smaller towns in the west and south-west of the basin.
Emphasis | Description |
|---|---|
Groundwater loss | Leads to loss of soil pressure and subsidence |
Uneven subsidence | Can create local depressions that fill with water |
Flood hazards | Water remains in subsided areas and can cause damage |
It is important to keep an eye on how the situation develops.
Will it be possible to strike a balance between use and conservation? That remains to be seen.
Can it still be stopped?
Water scarcity is slowly creeping into the Mesara Basin. The problem is growing, but there are actually ways to counteract it.
Many experts suggest targeting water extraction for reduction. This should be done especially in areas where groundwater is already at its limit.
Another important point is to measure systematically and approve every deep borehole. This is the only way to understand how much water is being extracted.
If no one pays attention, too many people will simply drill away. This only exacerbates the whole situation.
Incidentally, one can also try to replenish the groundwater. It sounds complicated at first, but artificial recharge is an option:
- Water is fed directly into the deeper layers through boreholes.
- Or create flood basins where the water slowly disappears into the ground – if the subsoil allows it, that is.
Measures | Effect | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Targeted reduction | Less strain on water reserves | Restrictions in risk zones |
Approval & control | Prevention of overuse | Deep drilling with limits |
Artificial groundwater recharge | Replenishment of the aquifer | Flood basins, injection through boreholes |
It really comes down to recognising the problem in good time. Those who act early can often prevent more serious consequences such as land subsidence.
Reasonable planning is really needed here, and people need to be informed. If farmers, authorities and everyone else work together, the situation can be stabilised.
Water use must be better controlled and the population educated. After all, water is more valuable than many people think.
Further information on this topic can be found here:
https://www.ekriti. gr/kriti/stegnonei-o-kampos-tis-mesaras-alogisti-i-yperantlisi-proeidopoioyn-oi-eidikoi-gia-kathiziseis-edafon
Water shortage: The municipality of Heraklion declares a state of emergency
The Municipality of Heraklion, Crete’s largest city, has officially requested the declaration of a state of emergency due to an escalating water shortage crisis. This urgent move aims to accelerate critical infrastructure projects such as emergency drilling and desalination to address the severe drought impacting the region.
In a letter sent to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos expressed deep concern over the worsening drought conditions caused by prolonged dry spells and below-average rainfall, especially over the past three years. The city’s water needs, estimated at approximately 2,250 cubic meters per hour, are currently being met through municipal wells and water from the Aposelemis Dam treatment plant. However, the dam’s water reserves have nearly depleted.
According to the letter, only 900,000 cubic meters remain available, enough to supply Heraklion, Hersonissos, and Agios Nikolaos municipalities until the end of February 2026. Without significant rainfall in the coming months, the dam’s treatment plant may cease operations by March 1, 2026, posing a serious threat to water supply—especially with the upcoming tourist season.
The President of the Heraklion Water and Sewerage Company, Giorgos Vourexakis, noted that water supply from the dam was recently halted temporarily to install a hydro turbine for electricity generation. Additionally, a pipe damage near Malia caused short-term disruptions but has since been repaired.
The municipality’s emergency request includes:
1. Official declaration of a state of emergency due to water scarcity.
2. Support from the Ministry in planning and implementing urgent measures.
3. Funding for necessary projects like emergency boreholes and desalination plants.
4. Replacement of aging pipelines that are operating beyond their limits.
Mayor Kalokairinos emphasized that immediate action is critical to prevent a water crisis as the region heads into spring and the peak tourism period.
This situation highlights the growing challenges of climate change and water resource management in Mediterranean regions. Heraklion’s proactive request aims to safeguard residents and visitors alike through swift government intervention and infrastructure investment.
For ongoing updates on this developing story and water conservation tips, stay tuned.
Source: Neakriti
