In Argos, the salinization of soils and groundwater is gradually emerging as a major challenge for the agricultural future of the plain. A natural phenomenon in Mediterranean coastal areas, saltwater intrusion has worsened significantly due to human activities, particularly intensive pumping and agricultural practices that disrupt the local water balance.
For several years now, the massive use of groundwater has contributed to rising salinity levels in the plain. This trend is causing concern among residents and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, as it directly threatens soil quality, crop health, and, ultimately, the viability of farming operations. Fruit grown under these conditions loses quality, while the land becomes more difficult to cultivate.
The consequences extend beyond agricultural production alone. Rising salinity also degrades the environmental integrity of the plain, reducing its fertility and its ability to sustain human activities over the long term. If intensive pumping continues at the same rate, the risk is clear: part of the plain could become deeply infertile. While 13 hectares are currently infertile, the Gulf faces the threat of this marshland expanding, accompanied by the threat of rising water levels. Nea Kios finds itself in a quandary and must make a choice to secure its future.
