30/09/2016
The Greek Government has decided to transfer the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) and the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYATH) to the newly established ‘Superfund’. It has accordingly approved the sale of 11% of EYDAP shares and 23% of EYATH shares. This will effectively place control of these utilities in the hands of a non-public body with the manifest intention of privatising them. In other words, water supply will no longer be administered by a government authority. However, water supply is essential for the health and wellbeing of the public and should therefore remain firmly in central government control.
In view of this:
1. What action will the Commission take to protect the public interest with regard to water supply following the privatisation thereof?
2. What measures will it take to ensure the efficient water supply and sewerage services for all citizens, with a tiered pricing system to ensure unrestricted access to clean water, a commodity that is in manifestly short supply?
