Ahead of World Water Day (22nd March), ISTAT released new data on Italy’s water use and infrastructure from 2020-2024.
The report reveals that more than two-thirds of Italians actively avoid wasting water. However, trust in tap water remains low, with many still preferring bottled alternatives. Additionally, 40% of Italians believe public water costs too much, and one in ten households still lack access to a sewage system.
Water service management in Italy remains fragmented, particularly in regions like Calabria, Campania, Molise, and Sicily. Despite a gradual reduction in the number of service providers since the introduction of integrated management in 1994, significant gaps persist, especially in the south.
Water rationing was implemented in a third of major cities in southern Italy in 2023 due to resource shortages. Meanwhile, environmental protection spending in 2022 allocated a quarter of its funds to wastewater management services. Last year, Legambiente reported on the water pollution levels in Italy.
On the industrial side, natural mineral water withdrawals for production declined slightly in 2022, down 0.8% from the previous year. Agriculture remains a major consumer, with over a third of irrigated land using self-supplied water in the 2019/2020 agricultural year.
Sustainable water management goals
ISTAT underscores the importance of sustainable water management to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. The report calls for greater integration of water services and long-term strategies to mitigate climate change’s impact on resources.
