Puglia launches H2O project to assess agricultural water needs

The Puglia Region and Unioncamere Puglia have launched the ‘H2O’ project to assess the water requirements and supply difficulties of agricultural businesses in the region. While the sector's turnover has more than doubled over the last fifteen years, reaching over 1.2 billion euros in 2024, it currently faces rising energy and water costs alongside a slowdown in investments.

The initiative involves conducting surveys and 200 telephone interviews with companies in the pilot municipalities of Manduria, Molfetta, Nardò, and San Giovanni Rotondo. Funded through the 2025-2026 Infrastructure Equalization Fund, the project aims to collect data on water availability, usage, and management to address critical challenges such as efficient basin use, wastewater reuse, and the maintenance of irrigation infrastructure.