Italian Policy Framework for Water in Agriculture - Water and Agriculture: Sustainability, Markets and Policies - page 336

Table 1. Irrigation methods and relative irrigated area (hectares)

Superficial
sliding
and lateral
infiltration

Micro-
irrigation

Geographic area Submersion Sprinklers Drop Other

North 723.672 213.834 599.344 17.557 51.401 27.039

Centre 20.891 556 158.225 6.058 24.403 3.146

South and Islands 105.997 3.146 293.632 51.717 214.903 23.489

ITALY 850.560 217.536 1.051.201 75.332 290.706 53.674

Source: Inea elaboration on data ISTAT;V Census of Agriculture, 2000.

Regarding the release of pollutants produced by agriculture, eutrophication events
take place almost every year, and agriculture activities have surely an important role in
these events. But knowledge of the specific impact of agriculture on water bodies is not
yet sufficient.
The Italian National Environment Protection Agency 15 underlines that the most
serious problem observed in the recent years is the increase of groundwater use, which
represents the prevailing sources of irrigation supplying in Italy. This increase is due to
the reduction and quality deterioration of superficial water. However, the APAT indicates
that their general condition in 2004 “demands attention but is not dramatic”. The
groundwater quality level is not yet well known, although knowledge is improving. The
available data on drinkable water quality shows some problems about chemical quality
(only 37% at good or elevated level). Critical parameters include nitrates, pesticides,
metals, boron and chlorides.
Water quality parameters for rivers (important sources of irrigation supplying in the
North), show a situation in 2004 compared to 2002:

similar for ecological state (37% with good or elevated ecological state);

improved quality with regard to pollutants concentration (from 53% to 58% with good
or elevated level);

improved quality with regard to biological class (45% good or elevated).

Therefore, it seems that progressive adaptation of wastewater treatment systems and
the several actions to reduce pollution created by agriculture (see paragraph 3) are
attenuating or, at least, not increasing water pollution.
In conclusion, at national level the relationship between water resources and
agriculture shows different situations, but also common critical points, above all
structural condition and management efficiency. These are the main elements that
European and Italian policies are trying to deal with.

15. National Environment Protection Agency (2004).