ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the Axios River Basin in northern Greece and examines the strengths and weaknesses of the existing systems for water demand management and pricing in Greek agricultural areas. It also examines the environmental impacts of these systems and provides an analysis of the potential improvements that the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC may offer. The chapter also focuses on the northern district of the Axios catchment, where the most representative land uses can be observed and for which detailed relevant data is available. Civil law determines that the owner of the land acquires exclusive use right on the groundwater inside his or her property boundaries, though some scientists argue that groundwater should also be managed as a communal good. In most cases the market is made up of two segments, the water service providers, and a number of competing users.
