Open the water tap and fill with whatever you want – that’s no longer possible in Verona and Pisa. The cities in northern Italy, which are popular with tourists, are rationing drinking water consumption because of the persistent drought.
Due to the weather conditions and their consequences for the water supply, the mayor of Verona signed an ordinance “that limits the consumption of drinking water for private purposes,” said the website of the city of 250,000 on Saturday.
It is therefore prohibited until August 31st to use drinking water to irrigate gardens and sports facilities, to wash cars and to fill swimming pools. Failure to comply with the ban could result in a fine of up to 500 euros.
Mayor Michele Conti also signed a similar order in Pisa: From July 11, drinking water may only be used in the household in the city in Tuscany, which is popular with tourists.
Half a dozen regions have already asked the government in Rome to declare a state of emergency to allow for more aid and civil defense operations. Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that appropriate steps could follow from Monday.
► Like other European countries, Italy has suffered from an unusual heat wave in recent weeks, while there has been no rain at the same time. The agriculturally important Po Valley in northern Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years. According to the country’s largest farmers’ association, Coldiretti, the drought is threatening more than 30 percent of the country’s agricultural production and half of the Po Valley’s livestock. Parma ham is mainly produced there.
The water level of Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda is significantly lower than usual for this time of year. The Tiber, which flows through Rome, also has low water.
Another consequence of the drought: Electricity generation from hydropower fell significantly. Hydroelectric power plants are mainly found in the mountains in the north of the country. They typically provide almost a fifth of the electricity needed in Italy.