Italian Water Crisis: Pollution's Dire Effects

Italy's water pollution is a pressing issue, with the country facing a growing water crisis due to a combination of factors. The country experiences seasonal and regional variations in rainfall, with Northern Italy receiving nearly double the rainfall of the south, and the mountainous terrain making it challenging to distribute water effectively. Climate change is also contributing to more frequent and severe droughts and heatwaves, placing strain on water resources. Additionally, Italy's high water consumption, particularly in agriculture, and failing water infrastructure, with ageing pipes causing significant leaks, are exacerbating the problem. Water pollution in Italy is influenced by a range of contaminants, including fertilizers, industrial waste, and domestic pollutants, leading to legal action by the European Court of Justice in 2014. As Italy grapples with water scarcity and pollution, efforts are being made to improve water management, invest in infrastructure upgrades, and explore solutions like desalination and wastewater reuse.

Water scarcity and drought

The impact of water scarcity and drought on agriculture has been devastating. Sicily and Sardinia are major centres of agriculture, with the sectors responsible for about 10% and 7% of Italy's total agricultural output, respectively. The reduced water availability has threatened vital crops such as citrus fruits and wheat, jeopardising the livelihoods of farmers and the regions' agricultural economies. In 2024, more than 33,000 people working in the agricultural sector in southern Italy lost their jobs due to the exceptionally dry and hot conditions, with wheat outputs dropping by about 70%.

The water scarcity and drought have also had broader economic implications. The Italian food sector's autonomy and competitiveness are dependent on water resources, and the ongoing drought constitutes a natural disaster for the industry. The situation has been described as a water emergency, causing serious difficulties for approximately 300,000 Italian agricultural businesses. It is estimated that production losses in Veneto alone will result in a value of over EUR 1 billion in 2023, impacting the 83,000 agricultural businesses in the region that generate revenue of EUR 7.7 billion.

To address the water scarcity and drought situation, Sicily has received €92 million of a €1.6 billion regional fund aimed at strengthening water infrastructure and increasing drought resilience. This funding is intended to be the first step in a series of interventions to improve water management and ensure the availability of concrete solutions for citizens and businesses. However, effective drought risk management in Sardinia and Sicily will require a long-term commitment to preparedness and adaptation, including investments in resilient infrastructure, water conservation strategies, and sustainable resource management.

Water pollution from agriculture

Italy's agriculture sector is heavily irrigated, with over 50,000 kilometres of man-made canals built over the centuries to distribute water from rivers to agricultural fields. This extensive irrigation network has contributed to the prosperity of Italian agriculture but also has environmental implications. Climate change exacerbates water pollution from intensive dairy farms, leading to eutrophication and elevated nitrate levels in groundwater.

To address water pollution from agricultural sources, the European Union approved the Nitrates Directive in 1991. This directive sets precise limits on nitrogen use, requiring farmers to have agronomic plans for their fertiliser application and adhere to specific thresholds based on the sensitivity of the region. In Italy, the Legislative Decree of 2006 transposed the Nitrates Directive, assigning Italian regions the responsibility for implementing the directive's obligations.

In addition to regulatory measures, Italy is also investing in resilient agriculture projects to tackle the impact of extreme weather events and climate change. These projects include the adoption of LIFE projects and the exploration of drought- and flood-resilient crops. However, implementing these measures and adapting to changing environmental conditions is a complex and ongoing process.

While Italy faces challenges in managing water pollution from agriculture, there are also broader issues related to water scarcity and inefficient water management practices. The country experiences uneven distribution of rainfall, with precipitation concentrated in the north during spring and autumn, leading to water shortages in other regions. Improving water infrastructure and optimising water distribution are crucial steps in addressing Italy's water-related challenges.

Failing water infrastructure

Italy's water infrastructure is failing, with the country losing large amounts of water through leaks in its ageing water networks. In 2020, Italy's aqueducts lost 42.2% of the water they carried, the highest proportion on record, according to national statistics bureau ISTAT. This is a significant increase from 2008, when water leakage was 10 percentage points lower. The problem is particularly acute in northern Italy, where the River Po, which feeds the fertile Po Valley, has seen water levels drop by as much as 61% in recent years.

The Italian government has recognised the severity of the issue, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announcing a "national water plan" to address the crisis. The plan includes improving infrastructure with new technologies, raising public awareness of the need to save water, and appointing a commissioner to oversee infrastructure improvements. The government is preparing to spend €7.8 billion ($8.39 billion) to address the water crisis, which has been exacerbated by climate change.

In addition to leaky pipes, Italy also struggles with wastewater treatment. In June 2023, the EU sued Italy for failing to properly treat its urban sewage. This has led to water rationing in some of the country's largest towns, with 15 towns affected in 2022 compared to 11 in 2020. Italy has also experienced an increase in extreme weather events, including severe rainfall and heatwaves, which have caused flooding and droughts. For example, in May 2023, the Emilia-Romagna region suffered severe rainfall, causing the Po River to overflow its banks.

To improve its water infrastructure, Italy is investing in resilient agriculture projects, exploring more drought- and flood-resilient crops, and improving wastewater collection and treatment systems with funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The country is also considering additional water storage and transfer schemes, such as reservoirs and pipelines, to balance water availability across regions. However, Italy's mountainous topography makes such pipelines technically complex.

Extreme weather events

Italy is experiencing the widespread impacts of climate change, with an increase in extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods. In 2022, Italy experienced 3192 extreme weather events, including excessive rainfall and heatwaves, a stark increase from previous years.

The country's changing climate has resulted in decreased precipitation, with one-third less rain in the winter of 2022. Average temperatures have increased, with a 1-degree Celsius rise in the last 100 years, and an even faster increase in recent decades. This warming has been more pronounced in the spring and summer and at high altitudes, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves.

The impact of these extreme weather events is felt across various sectors in Italy. For example, droughts reduce water flow in rivers, impacting hydropower generation capacity and worsening energy shortages. Agriculture, a major economic activity in Italy, is also affected by water scarcity and extreme weather events. The availability of usable water in Italy is expected to worsen, with a projected 25% increase in the country's water stress rating during this century.

Italy's cities are increasingly threatened by floods, which cause significant economic and human losses. The European Environment Agency estimates that extreme weather events between 1980 and 2020 cost Italy around 90 billion euros, exacerbating economic inequalities. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci has emphasized the need for Italy to adapt to the new normal of extreme weather events and rethink its flood protection measures nationwide.

Without significant action to reduce emissions, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Italy are projected to worsen. By 2050, average annual temperatures in Italy could increase by up to 2.4°C, making extreme weather events even more frequent and intense. The Italian economy is at risk, with a potential GDP loss of 3.7% by 2050 and 8.5% by 2100 due to factors such as damage from extreme weather and disruptions to key sectors.

Water treatment and compliance

Italy's water and sanitation sector has historically been fragmented, with municipalities acting as both service providers and regulators, creating a conflict of interest. This has resulted in issues with water infrastructure, with around a quarter of the country's networks being over 50 years old, leading to significant water loss. In 2012, there were 18,786 wastewater treatment plants in Italy, with 97% of them operational. However, several Italian cities have been found to be in breach of EU wastewater treatment standards, resulting in legal action by the European Commission in 2010 and 2012.

To address these issues, Italy has received funding and support for various projects. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided financing for climate and energy transition projects, including €1.2 billion for the reconstruction of the Emilia-Romagna region after floods. The Municipality of Salerno is working to improve wastewater collection and treatment systems with a €50 million investment from the EIB. Additionally, companies like C&G, Kurita Water Industries Ltd., and Safe Training Systems Ltd. are providing water treatment solutions and technologies.

Italy's water supply is sourced from various locations, including springs, wells, rivers, and aqueducts. In 2012, the volume of water withdrawn for municipal supply was 9.5 billion cubic meters, with 8.4 billion cubic meters entering municipal distribution networks after water treatment losses. However, water losses during distribution further reduced the amount delivered to users to 5.2 billion cubic meters, corresponding to 241 liters per capita per day.

To improve water efficiency, Italy can optimize its infrastructure, make better use of rainwater, and explore desalination and wastewater reuse options. The country's mountainous topography presents challenges for water transfer schemes but also offers opportunities for additional reservoirs, especially in the north. Public drinking fountains, a common feature in Italian cities, contribute to water loss, and better management of these resources is necessary.

Italy's water issues are further exacerbated by extreme weather events, including droughts, heatwaves, and flooding. The country experienced 3192 extreme weather events in 2022, and the Emilia-Romagna region faced severe flooding in May 2023, causing the Po River to rise rapidly and leading to widespread flooding and landslides. These events highlight the need for improved resilience and water management strategies to mitigate the impacts of future droughts and floods.

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