After a dry summer and a frantic effort to stop leaks and limit waste, Rome will see a period of water rationing to conserve supplies, at least through September.
Most areas of Rome will see water pressures reduced during the night hours, which will especially affect residents of higher floors, except in those buildings with pumping systems. Smaller buildings rely on pressure to force water to a roof tank that feeds the building.
Rainfall has been 30% below previous years, and officials have been warning of shortfalls—and quarrelling among themselves over what to do. Among measures taken have been repairs of 1,300 major leaks since May, and a crackdown on individuals and companies drawing water for industry or bottling.
Fixing leaks and thefts, however, doesn’t cover the low water levels in the major lakes that provide the bulk of the region’s water; it’s hoped that the rationing will give the reservoirs a chance to refill.
And for visitors worried about view of the city’s iconic fountains: Good news. Most of the major fountains, including Trevi, recirculate the water for conservation. That’s ironic, because many of them were built as terminals for the aqueducts bringing the water from the hills.
Fortunately, I’ve booked a ground floor apartment. But I know about rationing & conserving, having lived in the desert and through droughts more than once. I promise I’ll be careful.
I don’t mind stairs, this was just a useful accident.
Buon viaggio!
As we get older, we get more and more averse to more than two flights of stairs on rentals…but only now do I realize the advantage for water!