Rome - Rome's famous drinking fountains, known as "nasoni" (big
noses), will be gradually switched off starting next week as
authorities deal with severe water shortages caused by unusually dry
weather.
The 'nasoni,' made of cast iron and about 1 metre tall, have a
nose-like nozzle offering a constant supply of cool drinking water.
If you block the end of the nozzle with a finger, a jet of water
springs from another hole further up the pipe, making it easier to
take a sip.
In a letter to Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi, the ACEA water company said
it decided on the "gradual and partial closure" of Rome's more than
2,000 public fountains "given the exceptional drought situation"
affecting the city.
Consumer groups complained that the move would force people to buy
bottled water, while charity workers and animal welfare group warned
that street fountains are used extensively by homeless people and
provide water for the city's dogs and cats.
ACEA said it was "perfectly aware of the inconvenience" created by
its decision, pledged to redouble its efforts to fix leaky water
pipes, and told the mayor that she could ask for some selected
fountains to be spared from closure.
Dry weather is severely affecting water supplies and agricultural
production across Italy. Last week, Raggi banned the use of domestic
water for gardening, filling up swimming pools or washing cars, but
her decree does not seem to be enforced rigorously.