Water supply crises in Italian towns

The water‑supply emergencies that began in June have continued to spread throughout Italy. Mayors in Biancavilla and Ravanusa have again invoked state‑of‑emergency measures, with Biancavilla’s Antonio Bonanno alleging sabotage after days without water during a heat wave and Ravanusa’s Salvatore Pitrola blaming distribution failures despite adequate reservoirs. In Sermoneta a nursing home remains closed after inspections found non‑potable water, mold and missing safety equipment, while Civita Castellana’s ban on tap water for food stays in force following excessive Enterococci levels.

Residents of Erice have been receiving yellow‑brown, low‑pressure water for weeks, prompting the consumer association Codici to demand urgent action from Siciliacque and regional authorities. Damage to the network in Valmontone continues to depress pressure on dozens of streets, with tankers still deployed. A Bologna medical‑testing site was flooded by a pipe blockage, drawing criticism of municipal response. Across northern Italy, a dry spring has left the Po basin and several lakes at historic lows, forcing dozens of communes to request water trucks and raising concerns for agriculture.

In the Veneto region, Acque Veronesi reported significant pressure drops and temporary shortages in the Lessinia area, affecting the communes of Roverè Veronese, Velo Veronese, San Mauro di Saline and Badia Calavena. The utility dispatched technical teams, tankers and issued conservation advice to maintain service. Meanwhile, in Viterbo the municipal government lifted a drinking‑water ban after ARPA Lazio confirmed arsenic and fluoride levels were within legal limits, restoring full potable use for residents.

These developments underscore a persistent, nationwide crisis of water scarcity, contamination and aging infrastructure, intensifying political pressure for clearer communication, faster repairs and more effective emergency provisioning across Italy.