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Milan, June 25 2022 – Milan takes action to encourage water saving and avoid water waste. The union ordinance "Water saving and limitations on the use of drinking water during the drought period" was signed today and will be immediately enforceable.

To optimize the use of the water resource, the provision provides that certain limitations be implemented throughout the municipal territory, starting with the ban on withdrawal for the watering of gardens and lawns, with the exclusion of irrigation intended for new tree plantings, shrubs and public works. The withdrawal of water for washing private vehicles will not be permitted, with the exception of that carried out by car washes. The filling of ornamental fountains, garden basins and swimming pools in private areas will not be permitted, with the warning that the water present in the reservoir can be kept appropriately treated, with the exception of naturalistic fountains and bodies of water with the presence of fish fauna and flora.

Furthermore, water service managers have been instructed to activate all the wells that require groundwater withdrawal and discharge into a receiving water body belonging to the minor, consortium or private water network.

Excluded from the suspension of supply are the 580 "green dragons", the fountains that allow the free hydration of citizens and many tourists present in the city, as well as contributing to the correct functioning of the water system by avoiding the formation of air pockets in the pipes and malfunctions.

To make the interventions envisaged by the ordinance more incisive and effective, there is also an invitation to all citizens to implement behaviors aimed at rational and correct use of drinking water.

The water withdrawn, distributed and consumed by the Milanese aqueduct is never wasted as it is entirely channeled into two purification plants located in Nosedo and San Rocco which, following the purification treatment, return it to the minor water network for irrigation use, respectively via the Roggia Vettabbia and the Carlesca and Pizzabrasa canals; therefore, all the water from the aqueduct allows us to irrigate a vast area that extends to the south of Milan.

The full text of the ordinance can be consulted onPraetorian register of the Municipality of Milan.