I just read in the BBC about the drought in Italy. I may be living under a rock, but had not read anything about this earlier. The BBC reported that running water is being shut off for 8 hours a day in Rome. Having grown up in a farming community, I understand how devastating a drought is and my heart goes out to those folks! We will be in Rome soon and am wondering how bad the drought is and how it is affecting the city. The article said that some the drinking fountains are being shut off in the city. Hopefully they get rain on the vineyards and olive groves soon.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16726 posts
A couple other posts about this, Pat:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/water-rationing-in-rome
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/rome-fill-that-water-bottle-where-you-can
I hope it rains where they need it too! :O(
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5675 posts
There have been some articles in the RS Travel News section about the drought, including shutting down some of the public drinking fountains and some other decorative fountains in Rome. I believe the news of rotating water shut-offs are new today.
The drought certainly isn't helping the wildfires in Spain and in the Vesuvius area, either.
I'm surprised, given the water shortage, that we haven't heard of education efforts aimed at tourists. Because the huge numbers of tourists can't help but have a negative effect on any water conservation efforts. Especially if they're unaware of the problem.
I remember a number of years ago when our city had to implement water restrictions during a drought. Restaurants placed cards on their tables explaining why glasses of water weren't being automatically placed on tables. Hotels put info in each guest room recommending ways for guests to reduce their water usage. The public fountain downtown was shut off and the kids splash park was closed.
I'm sure we're going to see more conservation measures soon if the drought continues.
Posted by
OP
Ind., United States
318 posts
Thanks for the information. I don't know how I have been so unaware. I have been quite concerned about the wildfires here at home, and am glad to now be conscious of the problems others are having so that I can be an informed, considered guest.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
On the news last night, statistics were given about how different categories of agriculture are being affected, some production is way down.
Posted by
362 posts
It's not just you. I confess to having followed the US news lately, but I also follow foreign news outlets including the BBC. I must have missed that one. How awful!!!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Water rationing is in effect for 20 comuni near Roma, but not yet in Roma itself, according to RAI news at 7:05 this morning (Tuesday, 25 July).
Posted by
Tuscany · Rome · Milan, Italy
4 posts
The drought problems are recent, unlike places like California, so public education is lacking among Italians, never mind tourists. A related problem is a spate of arson brush fires, either kids "fooling around" or illegal efforts to clear land for farming or development. Some fires have been close to train lines, temporarily shutting down train service, such as on the Florence - Pisa route.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12088 posts
A BBC report included an interview of a Vatican spokesman regarding the fountains there being shut off. He stated no one has a memory of that having happened before.
The other issue involving Rome in particular is that leakage wastes 25%-50% of the water. The infra-structure has been left to deteriorate and now with the shortage the problem is magnified