Water resources management in the framework of the circular economy for touristic areas in the Mediterranean: case study of Sifnos Island in Greece

The Aegean Islands Water District (WD 14), and more specifically the island of Sifnos, is facing many problems with water deficiency due to dry climatological conditions and population growth during the summer months, which is also reflected in its economy. As tourism is the main economic sector in coastal areas, managing water competently during the summer months is vital. In an effort to develop an optimal water management strategy for the island of Sifnos, the water management model of Singapore has been studied. Surprisingly, even though these islands are in two different regions of the world with different climatic characteristics, they share common water resources management strategies, as both make use of rainwater and desalinated water. The island of Sifnos utilizes a variety of water sources: groundwater, natural springs, rainwater cisterns, a storage reservoir and desalination units. The main research objective of the current study was the enhancement of the sustainability of the island's water over a 20-year period. A key element in providing an adequate quantity of water to the island is to incorporate water reuse from the operating wastewater treatment plants into the existing water supply sources using the key pillars of the circular economy. Opportunities for water reuse include irrigation, firefighting and even indirect potable use, but no potential reuse opportunity can be overlooked. The framework and findings from this study will be useful to local authorities and the public as they work to develop a sustainable water plan. In addition, the framework developed for ensuring water autonomy should be useful for other islands and remote touristic coastal areas.