Reviving Ancient Engineering: Athens Reincarnates Hadrian’s Aqueduct to Combat Water Shortage

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:43:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Athens turns to an ancient aqueduct to address the modern challenge of water scarcity exacerbated by climate change.

Amidst diminishing water supplies due to climate change, Athens is resurrecting Hadrian's Aqueduct, originally constructed during Roman times, to alleviate water shortages and promote sustainability in the city.

Amid a relentless heatwave and dwindling rainfall, the water reservoirs supplying Athens have plummeted to unprecedented lows. With calls for rain echoing in churches and farmers struggling under the burden of severe drought, the city seeks innovative solutions to a growing crisis. To complement new technologies such as desalination and artificial lakes, Athens is reviving Hadrian's Aqueduct, an engineering marvel from antiquity.

Dating back to Roman rule, this aqueduct spans 15 miles beneath the bustling metropolis, waiting for a modern reincarnation. Katerina Dimitrou from the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company emphasizes the dual purpose of this revival: not only to restore a vital water source but also to enrich urban greenery, thereby cooling the city.

This historical infrastructure project aims to promote "a new water culture," melding ancient wisdom with contemporary needs. As residents cope with the escalating impacts of climate change, the revival of Hadrian's Aqueduct symbolizes a harmonious balance between respecting heritage and addressing urgent environmental challenges. With a focus on sustainability and resource management, Athens is paving a path forward, channeling a trickle of history to deliver a much-needed splash of relief.