The Evolution of Unconventional Water Resources in the Hellenic World

Andreas N. Angelakis, Antigoni Zafeirakou, Nektarios N. Kourgialas () and Konstantinos Voudouris
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Andreas N. Angelakis: School of History and Culture, Hubei University, Wuhan 430068, China
Antigoni Zafeirakou: Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Planning, Civil Engineering Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Nektarios N. Kourgialas: Water Resources-Irrigation & Environmental Geoinformatics Laboratory, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Hellenic Agricultural Organization (ELGO DIMITRA), 73134 Chania, Greece
Konstantinos Voudouris: Laboratory of Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology, Geology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: The water demand is increasing across all sectors, driven by intensive agriculture, overexploitation and urbanization, tourism, and industrial development. This trend is set to intensify in the context of climate variability, with an anticipated rise in the frequency and intensity of prolonged dry periods. As a result, conventional water resources, including surface and groundwater, are facing significant pressure and cannot meet the growing water needs. In contrast, unconventional (UWR) or non-conventional water resources, such as treated wastewater, salinized water, and rainwater harvesting are emerging as valuable and strategic resources and will play a pivotal role in the new era. Therefore, it is evident that the management of water resources must also include UWR to address the issue of water scarcity, with the ultimate goal of achieving a sustainable water future. This review aims to provide an overview of the currently and potentially available UWR in Greece. In addition to current trends and prospects, this study examines the utilization of unconventional resources in ancient Greek civilizations. The main conclusion is that in the context of the circular economy and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the use of unconventional water resources is crucial for facing the problems that are emerging.

Keywords: desalinated water; Greece; greywater; harvesting rainwater; treated wastewater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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