Southern Italy launches environmental and river safety plans

In southern Italy, regional authorities are implementing major environmental and safety measures to address hydrogeological risks and pollution.

In Campania, the Regional Council has unanimously approved a resolution to prioritize the remediation of the Sarno River. The plan, backed by over 400 million euros, aims to achieve a clean river within four to five years through improved sewage systems, dredging, and flood management. The initiative has seen bipartisan support, though political debate remains regarding the speed of previous interventions.

In Calabria, authorities are launching a master plan to mitigate hydrogeological risks following an extreme summer heatwave. The plan focuses on monitoring and cleaning 72,000 kilometers of river networks, ditches, and canals to prevent damage from expected heavy rainfall. Monitoring data has identified critical issues in provinces like Cosenza and Reggio Calabria, including excessive vegetation and illegal waste dumping in waterways.

Additionally, officials in Catanzaro are managing the transition of the Alli landfill, which is expected to reach capacity by early 2027. Efforts are underway to reorganize waste logistics to prevent increased costs for local citizens.