The summer of 2022 was already too hot, and Italy is now also suffering from a too dry winter. In order to combat the resulting water shortage, a committee of experts will draw up a short-term intervention plan and a medium-term programme.
Italy fears increasing problems with water shortages and wants to take measures in view of the summer months. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has convened a cabinet meeting for next Wednesday (March 1) to discuss the problems caused by the ongoing drought.
The meeting will be attended by representatives of the Ministries of Environment, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Civil Protection. The aim is to increase the efficiency of the water supply system. The Italian government is also considering investing in replacing outdated water pipes.
The 425,000 kilometers of water pipes in Italy are severely outdated. Five billion euros would be needed to modernize the water network.
Water reserves dwindled
The government is also considering a campaign to raise public awareness of the problem of water shortages. TV spots are aimed at urging Italians to save water and electricity. Due to the drought that has lasted for months, water reserves have decreased compared to the average of recent decades. Of particular concern is the situation of the Po River, Italy’s longest river, whose level has fallen sharply. Precipitation in recent months has been well below average.
Drinking water shortage in Piemonte
In the northern Italian region of Piedmont, seven municipalities had to use water tanks to provide drinking water to the population, and 70 other municipalities in northern Italy issued early warnings. Italy’s largest water reservoir, Lake Garda, is just a few centimeters from its historic low. The level of Lake Como has also fallen sharply. Italy fears a difficult summer with record temperatures such as in 2022.
Source: Krone
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