Nikos Hardalias: At the inauguration of the Wastewater Treatment Center of Koropi – Peanias

One of the largest environmental projects in the country, the Wastewater Treatment Center of Koropi – Peania (KEL K-P)was inaugurated today, in the presence of the Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Hardaliaby its President EYDAP George Stergiou and the CEO Harry Sahini.

This far-reaching project, budget of 112.9 million euroswas built through the utilization of NSRF resources by the Region of Attica with EYDAP as the Operating Body, within the framework of a relevant Program Contract between the two involved bodies and the Municipality of Kropias.

Nikos Hardalias: KEL Koropi – Peania marks a big change for Eastern Attica

“The KEL Koropi – Peania marks a big change for Eastern Attica“, the Regional Governor of Attica pointed out in his speech, underlining that: “With holistic interventions, we are upgrading Eastern Attica, one of the most developing residential and economic regions of our country, which is changing with projects that protect the environment and the seas of the wider region, with projects that are an integral element of its identity».

Mr. Hardalias noted that the operation of the unit, which “is part of the largest environmental intervention currently underway in Greece“, is part of the major projects implemented in the region by the Region of Attica, in collaboration with EYDAP and the relevant Municipalities, in the context of “of a strong cooperation for the protection of the environment and the rational management of the water resources of Attica».

In these works, which as he said, “highlight our priority to create a green and humane Attica” is included the creation of three new wastewater treatment facilities and more than 1,000 kilometers of drainage network in the area.

“And I want to pledge that we don’t stop here. Our plan for the next five years clearly foresees that we continue to invest in green policies and projects, with a strong environmental footprint. We continue even more dynamically, for an even more hopeful and greener future“, concluded Mr. Hardalias.

The identity of the project

The operation of the KEL – KP comes to provide a solution to a major problem in the area, which dates back to the mid-80s. In addition to the two Municipalities (Koropi – Paiania), the KEL – KP additionally serves the settlements of Glyka Nera, South Pallini and Kantza, as well as the coastal zone of the Municipalities of Kropias and Saronikos. A total of 125,000 residents are expected to be served by 2049.

The water derivative from the treatment of urban wastewater can be directly allocated for the irrigation of the adjacent peri-urban crops in the Mediterranean plain, achieving a significant economy of water resources and a reduction of the environmental footprint.

At the same time, the implementation of an extensive sewage network in Southeast Attica is being promoted, which will serve tens of thousands of residents, while reducing the fines paid due to the lack of connection to a central sewage system.

It should be noted that in total the sewerage and wastewater treatment projects throughout Eastern Attica have a budget of 420 million euros from the resources of two NSRF 2014-2020 Funds (Cohesion Fund and European Regional Development Fund) – an amount which, together with the Koropi-Peania KEL , exceeds half a billion euros.

In addition to the Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Hardalia, the President of EYDAP Giorgos Stergiou and the Managing Director Haris Sahini, the Minister of State was present at today’s opening ceremony Makis Voridisthe General Secretary of Waste Management Coordination Manolis Grafakoslocal parliamentarians, mayors of Eastern Attica and representatives of the contractor company K/X ERETVO SA – AAGIS SA.

For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EYDAP, Giorgos Stergiou, stated among other things: “With this project, we substantially contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens, stop the burden on the environment and strengthen the development prospects of the region with the innovation of irrigation from water reclamation».

The Managing Director of EYDAP, Charalambos Sahinis, referring to the project, emphasized: “It is an important milestone in the completion process for the drainage projects in Eastern Attica. Projects that are part of the demanding investment plan implemented by EYDAP, which reaches 2 billion. euros, with the aim of upgrading the quality of life of citizens, protecting the environment and resilience to the challenges of climate change».

For his part, the Mayor of Kropias Dimitrios Kiousis stated: “Today we inaugurated the largest health and environmental project that has been done in our region, a project that citizens have been waiting for for about 40 years. I am satisfied and await the developments both on the reuse of water and on the co-financing of its internal connections».

Finally, the Mayor of Paiana Isidoros Madis pointed out: “It is with great pleasure that we inaugurated the Wastewater Treatment Center. I want to thank the Region of Attica, personally the regional governor and the Regional Council, because they passed the environmental impact study giving the “green” light in order to satisfy the needs of eastern Attica as a whole».

After the ceremony, there was a tour of the KELKP facilities and information on the procedures followed.