On Thursday, August 8, the Executive Director of Water Europe, a European organization based in Brussels, Mr. Durk Krol, visited the Municipal Water and Sewerage Company of Larissa (DEYAL) as part of discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of sustainable water management. The meeting was initiated by the University of Thessaly’s Vice-Rector for Innovation, Internationalization, Partnerships and Digital Governance, and Professor of Civil Engineering, Ms. Chrysi Laspidou, who served as Vice-President of Water Europe for four years.
Water Europe has more than 200 members spanning the entire water value chain in Europe: from multinational companies, universities, and research centers, to small and medium-sized enterprises, water supply and sewerage companies, municipalities, regions, and citizen associations. Its vision is the creation of a “water-smart society” through research, technological development, and the promotion of sustainable water management practices. Ms. Laspidou presented the organization and its activities, highlighting the opportunities created when a water utility joins the European network, including direct access to Brussels officials, up-to-date information on policy developments and European funding in the water sector, high-level contacts with Europe’s largest water companies, documentation of best practices, partnerships, introduction of innovation and digitalization in operations, participation in working groups, and more.
During the meeting, the Vice-President of DEYAL, Mr. Konstantinos Argyropoulos, conveyed to Mr. Krol the company’s intention, supported by the Mayor of Larissa and DEYAL’s President, Mr. Athanasios Mamako, to join Water Europe as a member. The University of Thessaly has been a member of Water Europe for many years, while the only Greek water utility currently in the network is EYDAP. Thus, following the largest state-owned water company in the country (EYDAP), it is now time for the largest municipal water company in Greece, DEYAL, to join as well.
Afterwards, Mr. Krol toured the company’s facilities and expressed his admiration for the high level of organization and digitalization, as well as for DEYAL’s innovative technology—the smart irrigation card system for farmers.
Also attending the meeting on behalf of DEYAL were Mr. Ilias Boufikos, Director of Electromechanical Systems and Telemetry; Mr. Vasilis Banagis, Head of Telemetry; and Mr. Giorgos Thomos, Head of the Water Supply Office.
