May 5, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Did you know? If the tap water is undrinkable


In Mykonos, tap water is undrinkable, and bottled water is overpriced at catering establishments. However, there is something that visitors do not suspect.

How much does a bottle of water cost on the Isle of the Winds? The question is important, given the summer heat and the unsuitability of tap water. In the supermarket, a 1.5-liter bottle of water will cost you mere pennies – from 0.24 to 0.35 euros. Everyone understands that in a restaurant it will be with an extra charge, you will have to pay more, but … not 5 euros per liter!

The rise in price, which is observed in Mykonos for literally everything, has also affected ordinary water – in many bars, cafes and restaurants a bottle costs 5-6 euros. Seasonal bakery worker Lefteris Patsatsoglou says:

“In the past, it was the norm for stores to charge that much per bottle. Three years ago, this could be seen everywhere. Today, most have reduced the price slightly, to 3 euros, since their previous pricing was purely speculative. We have been selling and are still selling a small half-liter bottle of water for 0.5 euros, as there is an established mark-up, that’s how much we should sell it for. Having learned about this, the tourists came in the morning and lined up to buy several dozen bottles. We didn’t even have time to fill the fridge.”

When tourists realize how big the difference is between the price of water in a supermarket and a restaurant, they stand in line to stock up on water at a normal price. The water of Mykonos, flowing from the taps, is really undrinkable and is only used for bathing, watering or washing dishes. The inhabitants of the island say: “We don’t even use it to fill the pot to boil lentils or peas.”

This feature of Mykonos is used by the owners of establishments “to the fullest”. You tell them: “I want water not in bottles, but from the tap in a jug.” They reply that the water in the area is undrinkable and literally “force” you to buy a bottle.

And now about the main thing that not everyone knows about. If the water in the area is not suitable for drinking, the entrepreneur is obliged, at the request of the buyer, to bring a jug of bottled water, but without charging for it! Of course, even if not all locals know about it, then foreigners who come to Mykonos do not even suspect about such a service and with a sigh spread 5-6 euros per liter of plain water. Considering the heat, a decent amount accumulates during the rest, writes newsbeast.gr.



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