Aqua-M

Axios is the most important water resource in the cross-border area of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and it is one of the largest rivers in Balkans (2^nd largest following Evros). Its total length is 380 km of which 76 km flow through Greece.
Homer called it vathydinin and euryreonta, meaning that it is deep, forms whirlpools and has a broad bed. In the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where lies its larger section, the river is called Vardaris, while in Greece the word Vardaris stands for the north-west wind blowing along the valley of the Axios river.
It stems from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, north of Govistar crossing the city, as well as the cities of Skopje and Veles and after streaming nearby the city of Gevgelija, it enters Greece. The Greek part of the river streams from Polikastro and Axioupoli as well as the western part of Thessaloniki and it flows into the Aegean Sea.
River Axios constitutes the main supplier of fresh water and sediments in the the gulf and it is used for both water supply and irrigation while fertilizing the plains in Kilkis and Thessaloniki. River Axios and rivers Loudias and Aliakmonas flow nearby shaping an area of 11.808 km2 that is protected by Ramsar Treaty.
Furthermore, Axios constitutes an environmental resource and a monument of great natural beauty, contributing further to the connection of the two countries in the fields of environment and sustainable development. However, Axios is recipient of pollutants as well as of effluent that stem from the settlements that the river crosses and as a result it is affected by both residential and industrial pollutants.
At the beginning of the 20^th century, Axios used to flow into a few kilometers to the south-west of Thessaloniki, therefore threatening to cut off the port’s access to the sea, due to the continuous sedimentation of the Thermaic gulf. In the 1930’s, the riverbed was transferred through technical works, into its present location. Since then, the river delta has become an extended deltaic plain. However, recent measurements show that over the past 30 years, the delta is being eroded, due to a reduction in the river’s water supply and sediment discharge. Thirteen dams exist along the bed of the Axios river, twelve of which concern its confluents in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
In spring and summer, the riparian forests and aits of Axios gather thousands of pairs of herons, who reproduce: little egrets, grey herons, night herons, spoonbills and great white herons, which form, along with glossy ibises, pygmy cormorants and cormorants, one of the largest mixed birds colonies in Greece.
The protection of Axios is a really important issue, thus, a cross border cooperation is needed in order to ensure and maximize the efficiency of the necessary actions. The protection and promotion of such natural monuments could undoubtedly contribute to the improvement of life in the cross-border area. Moreover, the reasonable management, protection and quality control of water resources would lead to the minimization of negative effects, risks, hazards and threats, as well as to the protection and improvement of water resources.