Romans threatened with water rationing as Italy's heatwave drags on

[sue4e3]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/24/rome-water-rationing-italy-heatwave

More than a million residents of Rome are facing water rationing for up to eight hours a day as the prolonged heatwave that has ravaged southern Europe takes its toll on the Italian capital.

Some businesses are already reporting sporadic disruption to their supply, while last month mayor Virginia Raggi turned off thousands of the city’s public drinking fountains in an effort to save water as the drought set in.

Officials from the Italian utility Acea, the Lazio region that contains Rome, and the environment ministry will meet this week to discuss the possibility of rationing the water supply to about half of the city’s 3 million residents.


Lazio’s governor, Nicola Zingaretti, has ordered that a ban on drawing water from drought-hit Lake Bracciano, which lies about 40km from the capital and supplies some of its water, will come into force on 28 July.

[Duppers]

1. On list of things to happen

Across the planet.

[ffr]

2. Sustainable water use should be the goal. Unfortunately, water is a commodity, like fracked oil.

Ever try to survive on oil? Then we better start treating water with a higher value.

[nitpicker]

3. Vatican shutting off fountains in solidarity as drought hits Rome

http://www.dw.com/en/vatican-shutting-off-fountains-in-solidarity-as-drought-hits-rome/a-39820853

Vatican shutting off fountains in solidarity as drought hits Rome

The Vatican will shut off some 100 fountains over the next few days to help Rome get through a period of severe drought. Pope Francis has been the first to use his standing to tackle environmental issues.

The fountains in St. Peter's square sculpted by late 17th century sculptors Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini are two of the 100 fountains the Vatican will turn off over the coming days.

Rome, the Italian capital that encases Vatican City, is in the midst of a drought after a deadly combination of suffocating summer heat and lower-than-average rainfall.

"This is the Vatican's way of living solidarity with Rome, trying to help Rome get through this crisis," Vatican Spokesman Greg Burke told Reuters TV while standing in front of the two Baroque masterpieces.
(snip)