Verona, until now Italy’s largest city, is rationing drinking water consumption due to the ongoing drought in the country. The city’s mayor signed an ordinance “limiting drinking water consumption for private purposes,” the city of 250,000 said on Saturday. Similar measures have already been taken in smaller towns in Italy.
The use of drinking water is now only allowed for private purposes. Until August 31, it is forbidden to use drinking water to irrigate gardens and sports facilities or to fill swimming pools. Violation of the regulation can result in a fine of up to 500 euros.
The whole of Italy has been struggling for weeks with an unusually strong heat wave and the worst drought in 70 years. The Po Valley, which is important for agriculture, is particularly affected. The river of the same name has already dried up in some places. More than 30 percent of the country’s agricultural output is under serious threat, as is much of the livestock industry.
Another consequence of the dry season is that the water level of Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda is significantly lower than normal and, moreover, the electricity generation from hydropower has decreased enormously. Normally these provide almost a fifth of the electricity needed in Italy.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
