Basilicata farmers challenge Puglia water transfer requests

The Coordinamento Agricoltori Basilicata has issued a statement addressing the ongoing water management tensions between the regions of Basilicata and Puglia. The group argues that current calls for emergency water transfers from the Conza dam to Puglia overlook the fact that Basilicata already provides significant water volumes to its neighbor.

Specifically, the group highlights that the Pappadai dam in Taranto, which remained empty for thirty years, is set to be filled by excess water from Monte Cotugno. Furthermore, they note that the Ofanto and Capacciotti water schemes historically rely on water from Basilicata. The organization emphasizes that the issue is not merely technical but political, calling for the respect of existing water agreements and more proactive investment in infrastructure, such as the Monte Cotugno basin, to address structural climate changes rather than treating water scarcity as a recurring emergency.