Europe is experiencing record heat, with Athens among the cities worst affected. With summer temperatures reaching 40–42°C and reservoir levels falling by up to 60%, water scarcity now threatens daily life, tourism and public health. In an effort to safeguard drinking water supplies, scientists and engineers are trialling ‘sewer mining’, a process that filters wastewater from municipal pipelines for use in irrigating urban parks and cooling the city.
The pilot system, developed through the EU IMPETUS project, treats around 25 cubic metres of water per day and is monitored to ensure strict safety standards are met. Local authorities regard the technology as scalable and supported by a digital twin that models climate risks across Attica. Similar units are already being considered for more than 20 parks, offering greener public spaces and reducing dependence on drinking water in one of Europe’s hottest regions.
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