Water resources sustainability in aegean islands: the need for an integrated approach to a critical and continuous water- energy problem

Water is an important resource, critical for life and for various human activities, such as agriculture, industry, tourism and domestic use. However, global water resources are becoming increasingly scarce due to population growth, climate change and unsustainable water management practices. In Greece and more particularly in the Greek Aegean islands the problem is very intensive. The pressure on the water resources is caused from the increase of population during summer along with the complete drought during some years. As a result, there is a need for reconsidering the water supply sources as well as an emerging need for sustainable approaches to water resources management. The objective of the present work is at first to provide reliable and up-to-date data concerning water supply and demand in Aegean Greek islands. Accordingly, the sustainability of water resources is analysed in terms of specific indicators. To provide an integrated analysis of the important water sustainability issue, the Greek and European relevant regulatory framework is described and commented.