Greek authorities say EU-funded smart water meter projects may have carried markups of 200% to 300%, and the investigation has expanded to at least 50 municipalities across Greece.
The case centers on roughly €500 million (about $560 million at current exchange rates) meant to modernize local water systems — money that, if misused, could leave communities paying more while getting less protection against leaks and water waste.
Here's what to know
After months spent examining contracts for digital water meters and remote water-management systems, the European Public Prosecutor's Office is looking at what role mayors, municipal department heads, and other officials may have played, according to To Vima. Greek judicial authorities are also reviewing the cases.
Under Greece's EU-funded National Strategic Reference Framework programs, a December 2023 funding call ultimately approved 55 municipal projects worth about €500 million in total, or roughly €9 million (about $10 million) per municipality, according to To Vima.
The review spans municipalities in Attica, Central Greece, Aegean island communities, tourist areas in Crete and Halkidiki, and other parts of the country. Investigators are examining whether some tenders featured steep markups, oversized orders, and technical requirements that narrowed competition.
A separate roughly 140-page report by Greece's National Transparency Authority also said some bids did not appear to have been submitted independently, raising concerns that competition may have been distorted before contracts were awarded.
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More background
These systems are supposed to help municipalities manage both budgets and water use more effectively. Once connected to telemetry, smart meters let local utilities collect readings remotely, flag consumption patterns that may point to leaks, and track losses across aging networks.
But a 28-page complaint from a government auditor who reviewed the procurements said the projects included sharply marked-up pricing, excessive and, at times, unnecessary quantities, and overlapping project specifications. The complaint put the hit to public finances at over €200 million (about $224 million) and, as reported by To Vima, said meters in the projects being examined were priced at €200 ($224) to €300 ($336) each, compared with about €80 ($90) in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Cyprus.
The same report alleged that officials who raised written objections to irregular procedures were removed from their posts or had parts of their responsibilities cut. That kind of retaliation can make it harder for local governments to catch waste early, particularly in projects involving essential public services.
When money intended for water-saving infrastructure is tied up in overpriced contracts, towns can miss out on better leak detection, stronger system oversight, and more reliable use of public funds.
What's being done?
Several oversight bodies are involved. At the municipal level, the European Public Prosecutor's Office is weighing possible responsibility, while Greek judicial authorities are examining the broader group of cases.
The National Transparency Authority documented possible connections among bidders, including shared addresses, overlapping board membership, and recurring bidder groups in which one company repeatedly emerged as the winner. It also cited warning signs such as sequential protocol numbers, bids filed on the same day, and closely similar pricing.
The investigation led to disciplinary measures, including the removal of government officials from their posts, according to To Vima. In one case in Kilkis, the National Transparency Authority flagged major irregularities in a roughly €2.5 million ($2.8 million) contract for 10,350 digital water meters.
Where can I learn more?
Questions about public oversight and water management come up in infrastructure disputes far beyond Greece. These articles cover drinking water standards, utility transparency, contract controversies, and local water fights.
• In Wisconsin, advocates warned drinking water standards were being weakened too soon.
• In New York, lawmakers ordered the NYPA to open its doors to public scrutiny.
• The Trump administration faced quid pro quo accusations over funding tied to Line 5.
• In Pennsylvania, a data center's unexpected water demand left nearby residents angry.
• In The Dalles, Oregon, officials drew backlash over the town's water source near Google.
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