After a mild winter and a spring almost devoid of rainfall, the scenario unfolding before us in these early days of summer is nothing short of alarming.
From Valle d'Aosta to Sicily, our country is on its knees due to a severe water emergency.
Brenta River in drought - Photo by Stefano Maruzzo - June 2022
An exceptional heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C, far above the seasonal average (for instance, on the highest peak in Italy, Mont Blanc, at over 4,700 meters, temperatures last week reached more than 10°C for the first time) and the lack of rainfall (-40% compared to 2021) have led many regions to prepare for declaring a state of emergency due to drought.
Riverbeds have dried up, lakes have significantly lower water levels compared to previous years, wildfires have tripled, and crops of rice, sunflowers, maize, soy, and fodder are at risk due to the scarcity of water.
In the Po Valley, the Po River, the king of Italian rivers, is little more than a stream, and its water level is over 3 meters lower than what was recorded in August of the previous year.
Lazio, Valle d'Aosta, Pavia, Bergamo, Emilia Romagna, and the Parma Apennines are the most affected areas by the drought, but the situation in Veneto is no better, with the water levels of the Po, Adige, Brenta, and Piave rivers below historical minimums.
The Civil Protection has issued a red alert for the territories of the provinces of Padua, Verona, Vicenza, and Rovigo.
Throughout Italy, many municipalities have swiftly enacted ordinances to encourage water rationing.
Targeted actions include those that involve excessive water consumption and are not related to basic needs (drinking and hygiene) of individuals: irrigation of lawns, gardens, sports fields, and vegetable gardens, filling of swimming pools, car washing, and so on.
These are the moments when we realize how truly precious water is and how important it is for everyone, in their own small way, to do their part in reducing water waste.
The Civil Protection has also issued a series of recommendations to reduce water consumption within households:
- Don’t leave the tap water running longer than necessary.
- Prefer using dishwashers and washing machines over washing dishes and laundry by hand, always running them with a full load.
- Don’t throw away the water used to wash vegetables or cooking water; if possible, reuse it to water plants.
- Avoid filling swimming pools or bathtubs.
- Wash cars/motorcycles only if strictly necessary.
- Check for leaks in the plumbing systems (drop by drop, around 1,750 liters of water can be lost in a month!).
These are small and simple measures that can help us navigate this particular moment of drought. By incorporating them into our daily routine, we’ll contribute to ensuring a better future for the generations to come.