The growing water scarcity affecting the Lake Maggiore basin and part of northern Italy has required a coordinated response between Italian and Swiss authorities. In a context of limited rainfall and water reserves at their lowest levels in recent years, a temporary solution has been identified that aims to maintain the level of the Verbano without compromising the balance of available resources in the Canton of Ticino.
The decision was reached during the extraordinary meeting of the Italian-Swiss Bilateral Consultative Body on the Regulation of Lake Maggiore's Levels and the Management of Water Resources in the Basin, convened on August 10th at the initiative of the Italian Ministry of the Environment. The discussions focused on the difficulties affecting both the lake and the vast irrigated agricultural areas of the Novara, Lomellina, and Milan areas, which are particularly dependent on the availability of water for rice cultivation.
Ticino is also facing a phase of severe drought
During the meeting, the possibility of increasing water releases from Ticino's hydroelectric basins was discussed. This request, however, was denied due to the canton's hydrological situation.
The Council of State had already communicated to the Piedmont Region on July 17 that the Swiss side was also facing a drought alert. Precipitation in recent months has not been sufficient to replenish water reserves, which are now at the lower end of the levels observed in the last decade.
Added to this is the need to preserve available reserves, also for the sake of energy supply security. Hydroelectric reservoirs are a key component of the cantonal and national energy system, which is why further releases were deemed unsustainable.
Legal constraints limit the scope for action
Beyond the strictly technical aspects, the Canton must also address the current regulatory framework. A significant portion of water resources is governed by concessions granted to private entities, over which the cantonal authority has no direct power to intervene.
This further limits the scope for adopting extraordinary measures, requiring the search for alternative solutions capable of reconciling the interests of the various entities involved.
The solution lies in Lake Lugano
During the technical assessments, a measure deemed compatible with the needs of the Ticino region emerged. The Cantonal Watercourses Office, in collaboration with the Federal Office for the Environment, identified the possibility of temporarily increasing the flow of Lake Lugano through Ponte Tresa.
The flow rate will be increased from the current 3 cubic meters per second to 8 cubic meters per second. Thanks to the natural connection between Lake Ceresio and Lake Maggiore, the increased volume of water will gradually reach Verbano, helping to alleviate the situation along the Italian-Swiss axis.
According to the assessments carried out, the intervention will result in an overall lowering of the level of Lake Lugano by approximately ten centimetres, a change considered manageable under current conditions.
Time-limited measurement and constant monitoring
The increased flow will take effect immediately and will remain in effect for an initial period of ten days. During this period, the authorities will constantly monitor the hydrological situation, assessing the effects of the measure on both Lake Maggiore and Lake Ceresio.
At the end of the established period, a new technical assessment will be conducted, taking into account rainfall patterns, water levels, and the needs of the area. Only then will it be decided whether to maintain, modify, or discontinue the measure.
Cross-border cooperation remains central
This episode confirms how water resource management requires ongoing coordination between Switzerland and Italy, especially during periods of extreme weather events. Decreased precipitation and the increased frequency of heatwaves are making the balance between agricultural needs, energy production, ecosystem protection, and water availability increasingly delicate.
The authorities therefore reiterate the importance of coordinated, responsible, and efficient management of water resources by all stakeholders. This issue will continue to be addressed within the Regio Insubrica Working Community, where cross-border dialogue represents one of the key tools for addressing the challenges related to water availability along the Ticino-Italy border.
Pending changes in weather conditions, the identified measure represents a temporary response to an emergency that simultaneously affects the environment, agriculture, and energy, confirming the need for shared solutions to address an increasingly strategic resource.
