Italy is the EU country that consumes the most water for civil and industrial use

Italy is the European country that consumes the most water for civil and industrial use, and is in second place for withdrawals for agricultural uses, after Spain.

Climate change, according to Ispra, has contributed to a 20% reduction in water availability compared to the beginning of the twentieth century. This is supported by the Report for the States General of the Green Economy, organized by the Edo Ronchi Sustainable Development Foundation at the Ecomondo fair in Rimini.

The availability of water per inhabitant per year in Italy, with approximately 2,260 m3, is less than half the EU average, the report further states. In the summer of 2024, approximately 40% of the country was affected by drought. The Italian water network wastes over 40% of the water introduced.

According to Enea estimates, the reuse of purified water in Italy is only 4%, although the national water recovery potential could reach 23%.