Drought, from sieve net to overconsumption: Science has predicted the water crisis at least 10 years ago. But Italy continues to invest half of the EU average

“For the past twenty years we have been in Italy tripled L ‘Soil drying It is estimated that 27% of the national territory is likely to turn into a desertThis is how Legambianti explained the phenomenon of desertification. But it did 12 years agoback in 2010. These days the reporting data is also confirmed by Ispra (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), which highlights how the people most at risk are southern regions, but also Veneto, Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna. The drought was also as follows: Apulia, Sicily and Sardinia were the first to suffer the blow. At that time, as now, the thermometer was agriculture. But already in 2012, two decades ago, Coldiretti was explaining the first thirst map Region by region, describing the tragic situation. Then there was the Year of Terror, 2017. With Friuli Venezia Giulia declaring the case of water suffering. It certainly won’t be the last time. It has never rained so little in Italy in over two centuries. In short, I signals Everyone was on the field, but they weren’t caught. And so, despite reports and predictions, Italy continued to do so poor water management It is available, it remains in the first places for per capita consumption, it maintains the sieve water network and little is also invested in purification.

Thus, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2022 coincides precisely this year – and it is ironic that the declared fate – while rationingwhich most people warn as a far-fetched possibility, becomes so solution required. Be present, and if nothing changes, so do inevitable future. To avoid this, dealing with an emergency will certainly not suffice, but planning and investment will be necessary. Work so that the coming winter with rain does not bring chaos to entire regions of the country. Because if climate change affects the entire planet, every country may or may not make it worse. Italy certainly did.

Availability, consumption and dispersal for more than ten years – Just look at the data. In 2009 availability 155 billion cubic meters per year for civil and production uses, 2700 cubic meters per capita, respectively 110 billion of cubic meters and 2000 cubic meters per capita as a result of irregular flows and inefficiency. With a third of the water available Lost along canal networks. Not to mention the sewage and purification system: according to blue book 2009 to me 15th% Citizens are missing sewer and nearly 30% The Purifiers. While in the summer months 15% of the population (eight million people) was below a threshold Minimum water requirement Fifty liters of water per person per day. Apulia, Sicily and Sardinia suffered the most (with 40-50% less precipitation compared to wetter areas), while the north used only 50% of the water availability. Add to this the consumption coefficient: an average of 237 liters per day.

The data after ten years – One might ask What has changed In about ten years. last March blue book 2022 With the data of the Integrated Water Service in Italy of the Utilitatis Foundation, created in collaboration with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Istat and with the support of Utilitalia. Like France and Germany, Italy is also considered a moderate water stress country, but it remains so in Europe first place for Average per capita consumption, at more than 236 liters per inhabitant per day in municipalities of the capital and metropolitan cities (Istat) in 2020, against a European average of about 125 liters (Euroeau). Back in 2020, then, more than a third Of the water entering the network is lost. We are talking about approximately one billion cubic meters per year and 2.5 million cubic meters per day. And even if it was Investments Grow, per capita value of €49remains far from the European average of adult 100 EUR for each inhabitant. Without looking at it in the south, where losses are higher, it comes down to €35 for each inhabitant. Legambiante also states in the Acque document in rete 2021 that the . file the difference Between the water introduced into the distribution networks and actually supplied, it ranges from average 26% In the northern capitals, al 34% In that located in central Italy, even one 46% to the south, but some capitals, such as Frosinone, go further 78% of losses in the distribution network. And about thirty cities are still more than 50% of the losses. It still lags behind air purifiers: for thirty million Italians, factories are insufficient and do not comply with European directives. I four The infringement actions which we have suffered due to lack or inappropriate implementation of Directive 91/271/EEC on urban wastewater treatment. Three out of four encroaching communities are in the south.

What do I do Hence the need to process the available resources in the best possible way. but if the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 900 million euros are allocated to the national water network, and it is also true that these resources will be used to implement the projects that will start Not before 2026. “The real challenge is to hold on to these 800 mm of water which falls on average every year in Italy since today, we can only do it 11%,” said in recent days, the president of the National Federation of Associations for the Management and Protection of Land and Irrigation Water, Francesco Vincenzi, who proposes “to create a network of small lakes integrated in Territory to allow for an increase in tank capacity. The pond plan – as specified – is a form of response to climate changeinside which we planned to place floating solar panels that produce energy and make it with local rocks and earth to maintain a high environmental value.” At the same time, however, he reiterated, it is necessary to provide for Exceptional maintenance of existing reservoirs and aquifers for about 10% of their capacity, as well as the completion of 31 existing hydraulic works and the construction of basins that have been talked about for decades.