BOLZANO. Lack of rainfall and drought have become one of the most pressing issues today, both nationally and provincially.
Unibz: South Tyrol late
“We South Tyroleans are also more heavily affected by the growing water shortage than our German-speaking neighbours, as this winter’s drought particularly affected the area south of the Alps and the western EU,” says Professor Maurizio Righetti, professor of hydraulic constructions at the Lub. Currently Unibz, especially with the two new faculties of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, is very busy in the search for solutions to the current challenges related to water. “South Tyrol lags behind EU surveys in collecting critical environmental data,” says Ecology professor Stefan Zerbe. For example, there is no up-to-date land register, no ecological assessment of wetlands or heaths, no comprehensive analyzes of pesticide or nitrate residues in surface water and groundwater. “Moreover, there is an excessive waste of water for artificial snow, agriculture and tourism,” says Zerbe. ‘unibz’s extensive experience allows it to fill data gaps in this area and to develop programs for sustainable water use.’
The proposals of the Dachverband
South Tyrol is rich in drinking water of excellent quality – at least so far. The summer of 2022 and the first months of 2023 clearly show that water is no longer a matter of course in South Tyrol too. On the occasion of International Water Day, the Federation of Environmentalists presented proposals to ensure that South Tyrol continues to be a water reservoir. In South Tyrol, «cheap drinking water is a fact». According to the Dachverband, “rethinking and planning ahead are necessary, because following the emergency summer of 2022, the spring of 2023 will also be without precipitation, especially snow. These dry spells will no longer be an exception due to climate change and its impact on the amount and timing of rainfall.” And here are the three proposals put forward by the Environmentalists Federation presented yesterday.
Running waters should be renaturalised
“The water flows faster in the narrow banks of channeled rivers and thus leaves South Tyrol in a shorter time,” explains the Dachverband. Streams that are as natural as possible in as wide a stream bed as possible retain water naturally and also have a positive effect on the groundwater level. “We therefore call for the dismantling of the drainage channels at the bottom of the valleys and a large-scale renaturalization, and that the widening of the rivers be included in the construction of new infrastructure, such as the partially new railway line between Merano and Bolzano,” says Josef Oberhofer , president of the largest environmental protection organization in South Tyrol.
Demonstrate the availability of water
For snow-making systems it is mandatory to demonstrate (by now it is a standard) where the water needed to artificially snow the slopes comes from within a short period of time. «We believe it is necessary that the same proof is also compulsorily provided for all conversions of forests into agricultural greenery, as well as for all water-intensive projects for tourist and industrial facilities. In other words: how the apples will be watered and the private swimming pools filled must be demonstrated as early as the planning stage,” says director Madeleine Rohrer. “If there is not enough water, the project cannot be approved.”
Make the costs real
Competition for water will increase. “Water, as a scarce public good, must be priced that is socially just and reflects the costs to the environment,” Oberhofer and Rohrer say. This means that investments in water storage tanks should not be financed through government grants, as the profits from using the stored water are then privatised. The ordinance regulating the drinking water tariff should also be revised to reflect the true cost of water. Finally, the consumption of all categories should be disclosed. FROM.PA
