Distribution of bottled water starts in Volos region; water from drilling, municipal pools used

Bottled water is being distributed to towns in central Greece through Volos, after the 'Daniel' storm severely damaged electricity and water supply systems in the region.

Fifteen trucks have already arrived and are distributing water in Volos, Nea Ionia, Agria, and Alykes, while another 30 are expected by evening, with residents forming long lines outside city halls to pick up bottles. In addition, a Seajets ferry carrying dozens of large trucks with bottles of water is expected to arrive at Volos as a gift of shipowner Marios Iliopoulos.

Volos Mayor Achilleas Beos said on Thursday that water from emergency drilling would be supplied to residents of the metropolitan region by ration and at specific hours, but it should not be used for drinking. "At 6:30 pm, water will be supplied to the regions from Yianni Dimou up to and including the coast, from Anavros to Krafsidona. This water is pumped from 4 drills. It is neither enough nor drinkable. It will be rationed. The water supply will operate for 3 to 4 hours, it will stop and restart, in order to cover urgent needs. As of 11:00 pm, it will be cut off entirely, because this water is temporary, not to be drunk. The entire [water] network is destroyed. Technicians have made small interventions to be able to directly provide some water. At various points, it's necessary to stop the pumping of water in order to allow the depositories to be refilled by the drilling. The situation is tragic."

He also said that also at 6:30 pm, water will be supplied to Nea Ionia, from Meandrou and below, between Krafsidona and Anavrou. Portaria, Katichori and Platanidia have water. Other areas such as Alli Meria, Agios Georgios, Agia Paraskevi, "destruction is complete. I ask for your understanding. For this entire network, we shall need days" to fix it. Beos said a government delegation was in the city to restore the network.

At the same time, services of laboratories, operation rooms, and kidney dialysis units at Volos Hospital, one of the largest in Greece. Bottled water has been provided to patients and staff at the hospital, while by decision of the Fire Brigade with the municipality's agreement, the hospital got its non-drinking water from the municipal pools of Volos and Nea Ionia, particularly for the units carrying out dialysis and chemotherapies.