Team size: 64

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

Managing legal aspects during periods of instability requires a specialised approach, especially given the critical services EYDAP provides to millions of citizens in Greece. Therefore, the uninterrupted supply of drinking water, a vital and increasingly scarce resource, is at the forefront of EYDAP’s business strategy.

To address this challenge, the company’s management has developed a comprehensive sustainable plan in close collaboration with our legal team to combat water scarcity, a pressing issue over the last year. Therefore, currently we are actively working with the Ministry of Environment and Energy to explore alternative water supply strategies. These include integrating new reservoirs into our water supply system, replenishing underground aquifers with recycled water from wastewater treatment facilities, and pursuing a desalination project. This proactive approach ensures that we not only meet regulatory requirements but also strengthen our resilience in safeguarding essential water resources for our communities.

Therefore, EYDAP’s legal department has prioritised the enhancement of its capability to identify and assess potential legal risks. The team’s ability to make critical decisions under pressure and adapt strategies as situations evolve, is crucial. Moreover, effective communication practices within the team, facilitates better strategic planning and execution, as all team members understand the objectives, strategies, and their roles in achieving them.

Ultimately, our legal team aims to foster a culture that ensures EYDAP benefits from top-tier legal knowledge and skills, aligning seamlessly with broader business strategies to bolster organisational resilience.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Undoubtedly, integrating sustainability practices into core operations is crucial for ensuring long-term resilience, regulatory adherence and community trust. At EYDAP, Greece’s largest water supply and sewerage organisation, sustainability forms an intrinsic part of daily operations, complementing the strategic threefold on “Safety-Efficiency-Development”.

In this point of view, efficient management of the hydrological cycle and reduction of the environmental impact are critical priorities for EYDAP. The organisation consistently integrates cutting-edge technologies to advance these objectives. Specialised programs focus on reducing the carbon footprint and minimising leaks through strategies such as pressure management, optimising water supply zones, and promptly repairing damages. The implementation of a “Smart Network” further enhances EYDAP’s ability to manage its networks and assets effectively.

EYDAP is also at the forefront of pioneering research programs such as Sewer Mining (SM) technology, which enables the reuse of non-potable water. This innovative approach significantly reduces the demand on surface and underground aquifers, minimises treated runoff, and contributes to the sustainability of urban green spaces by eliminating the need for drinking water in irrigation.

Furthermore, EYDAP’s ambitious investment plan, surpassing 2.1 billion euros over the next decade, focuses on extensive network upgrades and the installation of smart meters. These advanced meters facilitate real-time communication, enabling prompt detection of leaks in water consumption.

EYDAP also engages in extensive collaboration with other European Water Supply Companies and Universities, notably focusing on the development of the ToDrinQ toolkit. This innovative toolkit facilitates real-time monitoring of water quality and provides decision-making support for water treatment processes. Meanwhile, EYDAP’s partnerships with Greek educational and research institutions further enrich the company’s expertise in specialised water issues. Collaborative efforts with institutions such as EKPA, Demokritos, and the Greek Atomic Energy Commission contribute to ongoing research and innovation in sustainable water practices.

Of course, in order to ensure the successful implementation of all these initiatives, it is vital to consider the legal leader as a strategic partner in achieving the company’s objectives. This is because these projects require substantial legal support, which includes expertise in adapting corporate governance policies and ensuring compliance with environmental, social, and labor regulations throughout the organisation’s operations and projects.