Legambiente reports rising pollution in Italian seas and lakes

Legambiente’s 2026 Goletta Verde and Goletta dei Laghi campaigns report a decline in the health of Italian seas and lakes. Monitoring results show that 34% of the 391 samples taken across 19 regions exceeded legal pollution limits, a figure consistent with the previous year.

Lake water quality has seen a significant downturn, with the 34% pollution rate marking the worst level in seven years. Key critical areas include river mouths, canals, and streams, with specific sites such as the Musone river mouth, Aci Trezza, and Lake Sabaudia identified as highly polluted.

Major contributing factors include inadequate wastewater treatment and the climate crisis, which is warming the Mediterranean and causing lakes to dry up. Data indicates that 514 urban areas, affecting over 14 million people, are discharging wastewater non-compliantly.