Ascoli Piceno closes Porta Romana fountain due to bacteria

The public fountain in Porta Romana, located on Via Nicolò Tommaseo in Ascoli Piceno, has been closed to potable water use following the detection of coliform bacteria. On October 1, a municipal ordinance suspended water consumption at the site after chemical tests conducted on September 29 revealed 16 UFC/100 ml of coliform bacteria, according to preliminary reports from Arpam and the local health authority (Ast).

The water service provider, CIIP Spa, has responded by stating that the water distributed through the wider municipal network shows no signs of contamination. Engineer Massimo Tonelli noted that the absence of Escherichia coli and enterococci suggests the issue may be environmental or localized to the specific fountain point rather than the network itself. Potential causes cited include low usage, sun exposure, or improper use by the public.

CIIP Spa reported that it had already initiated cleaning and disinfection protocols before the official municipal order was issued. The company has urged citizens to maintain hygiene standards, specifically requesting that dogs do not lick the fountain spouts, to help prevent contamination.