The Italian cities of Verona and Pisa are restricting water use as the country grapples with its worst drought in decades, in moves ahead of federal measures that could follow as early as Monday.
In the northern city of Verona, tap water can only be used for “domestic purposes, personal cleaning and hygiene”, local authorities announced on Saturday.
Between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time, residents are not allowed to water gardens, vegetable patches or sports fields, wash cars or fill swimming pools. Outside these hours, people are asked to voluntarily refrain from using tap water for these purposes.
The measures are in place until August 31, with fines of up to 500 euros ($521) for those in breach.
In the Tuscan city of Pisa, similar rules will come into force on July 11, limiting the use of drinking water to household activities.
Italy has been experiencing high summer temperatures for some time with very little rainfall. The Po River, the longest in the country, has dried up in places and is recording its lowest levels for more than 70 years.
Local communities, particularly in the north, have been rationing water for weeks, while cities like Milan have turned off large fountains.
Several regions have called on Rome to declare a state of emergency to allow new financial aid and civil protection measures.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that measures could follow as soon as Monday, when the government will undertake emergency planning for the most affected regions.
