The EYDAP pipeline is out of operation; water from brackish boreholes was found to contain concentrations of total coliform bacteria above the permitted limits.
Water in Aegina is unsafe for all uses, with residents reporting skin irritation and eye problems after using tap water.
The serious water issue began on December 16, 2025, when the undersea pipeline supplying the island was taken out of service. The Region of Attica collected water samples on January 14, 2026, and issued a report that was forwarded to the Municipality of Aegina, stressing that water from specific boreholes must not be used. The ban applies to drinking, personal hygiene, preparation or sale of products for human consumption, as well as any use involving direct or indirect contact with humans.
Coliform bacteria and insufficient chlorination: What the laboratory tests showed
The on-site inspection carried out at six different water-supply points revealed alarming findings:
- In five out of six samples, concentrations of total coliform bacteria exceeded the permitted limits.
- In half of the samples, residual chlorine levels were below the minimum safety threshold—a responsibility that lies solely with the Municipality of Aegina as the water supply authority.
- Serious deficiencies were identified at the borehole facilities, and questions were raised regarding the legality of the water abstraction permits.
The Region of Attica is calling on the municipal authorities to take immediate corrective measures, clearly inform citizens, and explore alternative ways to ensure safe water supply, such as the provision of bottled water or transporting water by tanker trucks or ships, until normal water supply to the island is restored.
By contrast, the Municipality of Aegina, in a social media post dated January 20, 2026, states that analyses conducted by an accredited laboratory on various water samples were positive, noting that the majority of samples were deemed suitable and within legally established limits for human consumption.
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