A HYDROLOGICAL PARADOX
Molise, a region rich in water, paradoxically finds itself facing a water crisis that often leaves its citizens with dry taps. “Molise is very rich in water, but more and more often the taps of Molise residents run dry”, says Angelo Primiani, regional councilor of the Five Star Movement. This paradox is the result of a water system that is progressively disintegrating, with a water network that loses an average of 53% of its water, according to ISTAT data. A figure that far exceeds the national average and highlights the urgency of structural interventions.
A SIEVE NETWORK
The situation is aggravated by an old and worn-out water network, which disperses the water into a thousand streams, just as happens underground. “Too many municipalities are forced to shut off the water flow at night, if not even in the afternoon”, continues Primiani. The lack of rain during the winter and spring has further worsened the situation, but the main problem remains a sieve network which requires overall extraordinary maintenance works.
GOVERNANCE AND INVESTMENTS: A HEAVEN OF ABBREVIATIONS
Fragmentation of governance is another crucial issue. “First of all, we need clarity on governance and investments, but also on the roles, functions and competences of the public actors in the sector”, underlines Primiani. The region regulates the sector in agreement with the District Authority, the provinces and the municipalities. The EGAM defines the water tariff and investments in infrastructure, while the GRIM takes care of the maintenance of the network. Added to this are the regional health authority and the regional environmental protection agency that exercise environmental control and monitoring. A system that, instead of being integrated, appears fragmented and inefficient.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND WASTED FUNDS
Molise has already lost numerous opportunities related to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) due to the delay in adapting to the regulations. “At the national level there are almost 2 billion euros available for investments in the sector”, but to date it seems that only three projects have been financed for a total of approximately 70 million euros. An insufficient amount to solve the problem of water dispersion. “We can no longer waste time, nor a single cent of the allocated funds”, warns Primiani.
BLUE GOLD AND THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE
Water represents one of the most important challenges of the future, especially in a context of energy transition and hydrogen production. “Molise must valorise its blue gold”, says Primiani, underlining how the region gives water to various neighboring regions without receiving any in return. A third of the entire water volume transferred between the regions of the Southern Apennines hydrographic district comes from Molise. “We are talking about millions and millions of cubic meters of water”, highlights the regional councilor.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS
In light of all this, crucial questions emerge: how will the center-right Molise enhance the water resource in the perspective of differentiated autonomy? What will the region do in terms of hydroelectricity and hydrogen production? “Questions that, I fear, will remain unanswered,” observes Primiani. In the meantime, the people of Molise will continue to deal with water intermittently, while others will take advantage of the lack of vision of a regional government distant from the real needs of the territory.
A LOOK AT THE FUTURE
It’s time for politicians to look up and put aside the search for electoral consensus. “Focusing on structural interventions does not generate immediate consensus, but would allow Molise to look to the future with a strategic vision”, concludes Primiani. Only through clear governance and targeted investments will Molise be able to transform its blue gold into a sustainable and long-lasting resource for future generations.
