Dire Water Crisis Strikes Southern Sicily
On a blistering July day, a municipal water truck arrives at Liborio Mangiapane’s farm, delivering a fleeting supply of precious water. The next day, the entire 10,000 liters will be gone. Severe drought and record-high temperatures have devastated the region’s hay, pushing farmers to their limits.
Mangiapane faces daily struggles to secure water. He spends countless hours on the phone and travels long distances to reach far-off wells. With water basins nearly empty, authorities have instituted strict rationing. If rain doesn’t arrive soon, Mangiapane fears he will have to sell his livestock.
“We are in a moment of extreme heat and therefore animals need a lot of water,” Mangiapane said. “It’s a constant anxiety to keep the animals from suffering, but also just to have a chance to wash ourselves.”
According to Coldiretti, Italy’s leading farmers association, this year marks the worst rainfall in over two decades. Fodder production has plummeted by 70%, and the island’s durum wheat output, crucial for pasta, may shrink by 70%, heightening reliance on imports.
Government and Community Response
In May, the national government declared a state of emergency in Sicily. They allocated 20 million euros to purchase water tankers, dig new wells, and repair leaky aqueducts. Coldiretti contributed 1.5 million tons of fodder, while the regional government offered subsidies to farmers forced to buy hay.
A local water basin authority is rigorously rationing water for nearly a million residents, with water flowing for as little as two to four hours weekly in the worst-hit areas. While the taps are off, tankers provide essential supplies, since Sicily’s aqueducts lose up to 60% of the transported water.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis include:
- Opening new wells
- Fixing desalination equipment
- Deploying Italian navy tankers
As climate change drives erratic rainfall and higher temperatures, there’s hope that aqueduct renovations, new reservoirs, and deeper wells will help Sicily adapt. Giulio Boccaletti, scientific director of the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change, emphasized that Sicily is facing “the new normal” of climate change.
Impact on Farmers and Agriculture
Farmers have observed once reliable watering spots, like basins, lakes, and ponds, disappearing. Luca Cammarata watched his sheep search in vain for water in the province of Caltanissetta. The area has received almost no rain all year, leaving reservoirs nearly empty and wells at critical levels.
“Here in this small basin, water has never been lacking,” Cammarata said. His sheep, adorned with tinkling bells, searched for water in their usual spot. As temperatures soared, the animals had to retreat to their barns to escape the blazing sun.
Nearby Lake Pergusa, once a haven for migratory birds, now resembles a puddle. Mangiapane’s farm, near Cammarata, also faces dire conditions. He noted that a pond that once collected rainwater is now “as dry as a football pitch.”
August typically initiates the winter rainy season, offering a glimmer of hope. Mangiapane, a staunch advocate for natural grazing and small-scale cheese-making, expressed his wish for a better season ahead. “We worked the whole year without profits. No wheat, nor fodder for the cows. The situation is dire,” he lamented.
Future Outlook and Adaptation
Local authorities are racing to open new wells, repair desalination equipment, and bring in water supplies. In late July, an Italian navy tanker ship docked in Licata, delivering 12 million liters of water to the most affected areas. The crisis has prompted a reevaluation of water usage and agricultural practices in the region.
As climate change continues to alter weather patterns, there’s a growing recognition that adaptation is essential. Investments in infrastructure, such as aqueduct renovations and new reservoirs, are seen as critical steps to ensure a sustainable water supply.
Boccaletti highlighted the need for a strategic approach to water usage. “Sicily is experiencing the new normal of climate change,” he said. “The region must assess whether its scarce water resources are being used effectively.”
The urgency of the situation is clear. As farmers and authorities grapple with the challenges of a changing climate, the hope is that innovative solutions and resilient practices will help secure a sustainable future for Sicily’s agriculture and communities.
katherinemidnight
What a mess! Imagine running out of water to even wash yourself. That’s insane.
Nala
Seems like climate change is really hitting hard. Time to rethink our water usage!
gabriellasolar
Is there any way for regular people to help out the farmers during this drought?
Max7
Man, I hope they can get some rain soon. Farmers have it tough enough already!
Zoey
How will this affect the price of pasta in other countries?
aubrey
Thank you for shedding light on this crisis. I had no idea it was this bad.
PaisleyPhoenixfire
It’s a shame the government didn’t act sooner – they should have seen this coming!
aubrey5
Wow, this is so sad! How are the farmers coping with this daily? 😢