This report and dataset present the results obtained from the preliminary laboratory testing focusing on the evaluation of water absorption, effervescence, and stability of bulk rock samples from the Mesohellenic Trough, Region of Grevena, Greece. Raw data are included in the excel file “Pilotstrategy_rock_water absorption_test.xlsx", while the experimental results are discussed in the word file "Pilotstrategy_rock_water absorption_test.docx". In the Microsoft Excel file the following parameters are presented: Sample code, Rock type, Reaction to 10% hydrochloric acid, Weight (g) before drying, Weight (g) after drying, Sample volume, Sample density before drying, Sample density after drying, Weight after test (24 hours), Water volume (ml) before test in the 2000 ml tank, Remaining water volume (ml) in the 2000 ml tank after test (24 hours), Remaining water volume (ml) if consider water evaporation (25 ml after 24 hours), Water absorbed by the rock if consider water evaporation (25 ml after 24 hours), Stability of sample in water (24 hours), and Absorbed water per 1000g of rock. Additionally the minimum, maximum, and average values, and their standard deviation, for each region are listed.