Italy: Water rationing avoided in Rome July 28 /update 1

Event

Roman officials announced a deal to prevent water rationing measures on Friday, July 28. The agreement allows the local water authority to continue drawing from nearby Lake Bracciano, while progressively reducing quantities until fully phased out by Friday, September 1. Officials have announced that a state of emergency may still be called for Lazio due to the prevailing drought.

Context

Roman officials announced new potential water rationing measures on July 24. According to media reports, around 1.5 million residents in the Lazio region of Rome would have been affected by the rationing if implemented as planned, which would have limited water access to no more than eight hours a day in alternating neighborhoods starting on July 28.

Italy is currently experiencing a severe drought. The governor of Lazio, Nicola Zingaretti, had banned water suppliers from drawing any more water from Lake Bracciano, located about 40 km (25 mi) from the capital city, as of July 28. Lake Bracciano provides around 8 percent of Rome’s water supply.

The agricultural sector is said to have been severely impacted, with some 60% of farmland under threat. The drought has reportedly cost the industry some two billion dollars.

Advice

Individuals present in Rome are advised remain prepared for water shortages (stock up on bottled water), to follow any water conservation instructions issued by local authorities, and to keep abreast of the situation.