The repair of the Aravissos pipeline is progressing

The repair and reinforcement works of the Aravissos aqueduct continue and beyond the 3.5 km that were repaired since the start of the project in June 2020, as provided in the relevant contract signed by the management of EYATH SA. in the previous days following an open tender.

The main part of the project was auctioned on 21-12-2018 and an agreement was signed – a framework with six sub-contracts, which related to the repair – reinforcement of a section of the aqueduct from the boundary of Phase 3 of the Watershed to approximately Phase 1 of the Watershed in Gorgopotamou St., approximately 3.5 km long. The repair of this section was deemed necessary because, according to the study, 80% of the damage in the past had been identified in this section mainly due to chemical attack of the reinforcement.

With the new agreement – framework signed in the previous days (“Agreement – Framework for the reinforcement – repair of the Aravissos aqueduct”), on the amount of 4 million euros, it is planned to continue the work beyond Gorgopotamou Street to Thessaloniki, depending on the needs of EYATH S.A. and until the financial object of the agreement is terminated. In fact, an option of 1 million euros is due.

The works include excavation and inspection of the pipeline in sections, while the reinforcements are implemented with innovative technologies that allow the pipeline to be in full operation, without any inconvenience to consumers. Combined with the project of connecting the Aliakmonas and Aravissos aqueducts and the possibility of alternative water routes, their completion will ensure uninterrupted water supply to Thessaloniki in the event of a failure.

It is recalled that the aqueduct was built between 1975-1978 and transports water from the springs of Aravissos to the central pumping station of Dendropotamos and from there to the city’s internal network. It is a reinforced concrete pipeline, with an internal diameter of 1.65 m and a total length of approximately 56 km, while it transports 80,000 – 110,000 m2. water per day, i.e. 30%-40% of the total daily amount of water needed by the Thessaloniki Urban Complex (the rest is provided by Aliakmonas after treatment at the Thessaloniki Water Treatment Plant).

From the left, the vice-president of EYATH, Grigoris Penelis, the managing director, Anthimos Amanatidis, and Kyriakos Chaidemenos of the joint venture KATASKEVI ATE – LIACHTIDA ATEVE, which undertook the project.

Work from the first phase of repairs on the most heavily loaded section of the pipeline, which had also caused the major damage in 2018.