Lombardy, water crisis: 36 per cent shortfall

Lombardy: the water situation is critical, with a 36 per cent shortfall compared with the average for the reference period, though not as severe as in 2022 (a year that saw record drought conditions), when the water shortfall – between late June and early July – stood at 61 per cent. This was announced following the regional round-table meeting held on 2 July at Palazzo Lombardia to discuss the use of water resources in agriculture, which was also attended by relevant stakeholders, trade associations, water supply bodies and land reclamation and water management consortia.

The data indicate a situation of moderate water scarcity across the region, taking into account the water in lakes, reservoirs and the snowmelt equivalent. For the Ticino, Adda, Oglio and Brembo catchment areas, the deficit is just over 40 per cent. The system least affected appears to be the Garda-Mincio system, where the deficit stands at 20 per cent compared with the average.

“This,” said Massimo Sertori, the regional councillor responsible for water management, “is, unfortunately, a predictable development, linked to a winter with little snow – which has already melted due to high temperatures – and a spring with low water levels.”

At the round-table meeting on 12 June, it was decided to reduce the supply of water from the Alpine lakes for agricultural purposes after 10 days. Furthermore, on 30 June, an agreement was reached with the hydroelectric concessionaires operating the dams upstream of Lake Como to release 4 million cubic metres of water into the basin over a period of 15 days. “The same applies to Lake Idro: we are finalising an agreement with Trentino-based HDE (Hydro Dolomiti Energia) which will provide us with 10 million cubic metres of water, which the operator will then recover once the irrigation season is over,” adds Sertori. The aim is to reach mid-July and the first harvest for farmers.

“Agriculture in Lombardy,” added Alessandro Beduschi, the regional councillor for agriculture, “is facing a challenging season, marked by high temperatures and below-average water availability. This is precisely why teamwork amongst all those involved is proving to be crucial. The decisions agreed upon at the regional round table and the collaboration with the managers of the major lakes and reservoirs now allow us to look ahead to the coming weeks with greater confidence and to safeguard the first harvest.”