MILAN – Italian authorities have reached a deal to avoid the immediate threat of water rationing in Rome, the capital.
The governor of the Lazio region, which includes Rome, said late Friday he will allow water to be drawn from Lake Bracciano at lesser volumes throughout August. Nicola Zingaretti had previously ordered a halt to drawing water from the lake at midnight Friday.
While the lake supplies only 8 percent of the capital’s water, the impending cutoff had raised pressure on officials to find alternatives under the threat of severe water rations in Rome.
Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi demanded an immediate intervention as the deadline neared.
Scarce rain and chronically leaky aqueducts have combined this summer to hurt farmers in much of Italy and put Romans at risk for drastic water rationing.
