Italy confronts worsening drought and soaring water costs

Italy has endured recurring droughts since the early 1950s, each episode lowering the Po River, reducing agricultural yields and inflicting billions of euros in losses – notably a €4 billion hit in 2003 and severe water rationing in 1973, 1988‑1990, 2017 and 2022. Historical dry spells have highlighted the fragility of the nation’s water‑management infrastructure and the growing economic burden on farms and regional economies.

In 2024, water withdrawals fell to the lowest level of the past 25 years, yet the country remains highly vulnerable. Inefficient distribution networks, reduced aquifer recharge, and intensified summer demand have turned water into a costly commodity. Consumers face higher bills, tourism and irrigation pressures rise, and the need for infrastructure upgrades and reuse schemes becomes ever more urgent.