Athens, 17 October 2025 – A new water conservation and reuse project has been successfully completed in Schimatari, as part of the Zero Drop program, implemented by GWP-Med in collaboration with the Municipality of Tanagra, and supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Hellas and Coca-Cola HBC.
Georgios Dassiotis, Deputy Regional Governor of Boeotia; Michael Skoullos, President of GWP-Med; Svetoslav Atanasov, General Director of Coca-Cola HBC for Greece & Cyprus; Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Environment and Energy; Vasilis Pergalias, Mayor of Tanagra; Stavros Mourelatos, General Director of The Coca-Cola Hellas, responsible for Greece, Cyprus, and Malta (from left to right).
The project was officially inaugurated in the Municipality of Tanagra at a special ceremony attended by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou; the Deputy Regional Governor of Viotia, Mr. Georgios Dassiotis; the Mayor of Tanagra, Mr. Vasilis Pergalias; the General Director of Coca-Cola Hellas, Mr. Stavros Mourelatos’ the General Director of Coca-Cola HBC, Mr. Svetoslav Atanasov; and Chair of GWP-Med, Prof. Michael Skoullos.
The initiative upgraded the Schimatari Rapid Water Treatment Plant, the municipality’s largest water treatment unit. It included the installation of an innovative system for recirculating and reusing filter backwash water. This intervention delivers multiple benefits to residents, employees, and the local community by saving a daily amount of 1.300.000 million litres of water, which were previously discarded. The interventions was designed and coordinated by the GWP-Med Technical Solutions team, led by Senior Programme Officer Dr. Nikos Skondras.
With Greece facing increasing water scarcity due to prolonged drought and higher demands on the Mornos water supply system, the technical intervention at Schimatari achieves:
- Water savings through reuse of filter backwash water, equivalent to 15% of total raw water intake of the treatment plant.
- Full recovery of water previously lost during filter backwashing.
- Energy consumption reduction of 7–10%.
- Annual water savings sufficient to meet the needs of approximately 6,500 people (based on average daily consumption of 170 liters per person).
- Ensured drinking water quality.
- Strengthened water security for the Municipality of Tanagra.
The Schimatari project was implemented in close cooperation with the Technical Services Department of the Municipality of Tanagra. Previously, water from filter cleaning processes was discharged into the sewer system. Thanks to the new treatment system, this water is now collected, treated, and redirected back into the main supply, eliminating losses entirely.
This intervention is part of the second phase of the Zero Drop program in the region, following the 2023 upgrades at the Kallithea Water Treatment Plant, which supplies surrounding communities including Arma, Kallithea, Asopia, and Tanagra. As confirmed by municipal authorities, the first-phase intervention fully achieved its objective, providing high-quality treated water while increasing the availability of water for citizens.
The second phase replicates and scales the same technical approach in the municipality’s largest water treatment plant, substantially improving Tanagra’s water security.
The Schimatari project is part of the broader Zero Drop program for sustainable water management, which has already implemented similar initiatives in Folegandros and Heraklion, Crete. It serves as a model intervention with proven results, demonstrating clear potential for replication across other water treatment facilities in Greece.
In addition, GWP-Med and MIO-ECSDE implemented educational programs for approximately 250 students and teachers in Tanagra in the frame of the Zero Drop project, promoting water awareness and sustainable practices.
About Zero Drop
The Zero Drop program, launched in July 2022 in Folegandros, takes a holistic approach to water management and conservation, tailored to local needs. Since then, it has expanded to Heraklion, Crete (June 2023), and Schimatari (November 2023), extending both its geographical and thematic impact.
Over the last 19 years, GWP-Med’s collaboration with Coca-Cola has led to over 80 projects across 38 islands and cities, protecting billions of liters of water annually, benefiting thousands of citizens.
Statements from key stakeholders:
Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Environment and Energy:
"It is a particular pleasure for me to be here today for Zero Drop Mornos, which is an flagship initiative. Our country, like all Mediterranean countries, faces a significant problem of water scarcity. In fact, we are 19th worldwide in this difficult challenge. Initiatives like this demonstrate the awareness of the State, the Region, the Municipality, as well as the private sector. I would like to congratulate Coca-Cola Hellas, Coca-Cola HBC, The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Municipality, the Region, and also the scientific staff of the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean, the people who did something pioneering: they helped ensure that not a single drop of water is lost. The State will support them. I congratulate them – and I could say that this is a bright example in this great challenge we all face. Once again, congratulations to everyone."
Mr. Vasilis Pergalias, Mayor of Tanagra:
"For the good of the region, the State, local government, the Region, and businesses must move forward together. I want to thank Coca-Cola in Greece, which once again showed its sensitive side, not only for the excellent cooperation we have but also because I truly believe it is one of the companies that walks alongside citizens. As an agricultural and tourist area, we used to lose about 1,300 cubic meters of water per day. With this initiative, which saves both water and energy, we now give significant opportunities for the citizens of the area to have a better daily life. I also want to thank our partners and the technical service of the Municipality, the Minister, and the Region with whom we cooperate, in both easy and difficult times."
Mr. Stavros Mourelatos, General Director of Coca-Cola Hellas (responsible for Greece, Cyprus, and Malta):
"The Zero Drop program demonstrates in practice our vision for responsible water management over the past 19 years. The completion of the second phase of the program in the Municipality of Tanagra fills us with pride, as it contributes to addressing the issue of water scarcity and creates a positive impact for local communities. By recycling water, we protect it and contribute to water security today and tomorrow."
Mr. Svetoslav Atanasov, General Director of Coca-Cola HBC (Greece & Cyprus):
"We are particularly proud of the completion of this important project, as part of the Zero Drop program, which significantly contributes to the protection of such a precious resource as water. The Schimatari area is of special importance to Coca-Cola HBC, as it is the center of our production activity. Here we produce our products, employing more than 400 people and supporting the local economy. This project confirms our strategic commitment to the rational management of water resources, not only within our production process but also more broadly, for the benefit of the local community in which we operate. We firmly believe that actions implemented jointly by the State, local authorities, and businesses will contribute significantly to the protection and sustainable management of our water resources, for a better and more sustainable future for all."
Prof. Michael Scoullos, GWP-Med Chair
"At a time when water scarcity is spreading and increasingly affecting the Mediterranean and our country, the completion of the second phase of the Zero Drop program in the Municipality of Tanagra, where GWP-Med played a pivotal role, demonstrates how public-private partnerships with the contribution of organizations that combine scientific knowledge with civic engagement can achieve the effective and immediate addressing of critical problems."