Iblea Acque water network modernization

Iblea Acque S.p.A. has secured more than 22 million euros to modernize and digitize its provincial water network. The funding includes a 17 million euro decree and a 5 million euro contribution from the company. The project aims to reduce water loss by up to 25% by 2029 through the use of hydraulic districts, acoustic and satellite leak detection, and the installation of 18,000 LoRaWAN-enabled smart meters.

The initiative is structured into four functional lots designed to recover approximately 4 million cubic meters of water annually. The announcement was made during an assembly of member mayors, which was convened on short notice to meet strict deadlines for signing the necessary funding conventions.

The funding process has coincided with political tension during an urgent shareholders' meeting. The Democratic Party (PD) has criticized proposals to increase the sole administrator's compensation and to hire a permanent administrative manager with an annual salary of 85,000 euros, arguing these costs are irresponsible in light of the company's reported debts of over 10 million euros to the Municipality of Ragusa.

New concerns regarding water quality and transparency have emerged in Pozzallo. The local group Sud chiama Nord reported that the most recent published analysis for the Contrada Inchiudenda reservoir dates back to May 2026, noting that chloride levels in that sample exceeded the legal limit for human consumption. The group is calling for more frequent and transparent data updates from Iblea Acque and local authorities.