“We intend to determine the actions to be taken with the funds already allocated, which, according to the initial estimate, will amount to 7.8 billion euros,” the Italian minister told reporters. Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto-Fratin.
He also admitted that in some areas up to half of the pumped water leaks from pipes, and the average figure for such losses in the country is 37%. In this regard, the official said that the authorities will start planning a long-term program to improve the efficiency of the water supply network.
In Italy, the alarm bells have been sounded for a reason: despite the winter season, households are already experiencing water problems. In summer, according to experts, the situation can worsen due to lack of water in natural reservoirs and extremely low snowfall in the mountains. The authorities of the country do not exclude that after a certain time it will be necessary to introduce quotas for water consumption.
Experts say the drought that hit Europe last summer was the worst in 500 years. It led to the weakening of major water arteries such as the Rhine, the Loire and the Po.
