Sicily's Water Crisis

 
Set on a hill in Sicily, Agrigento is famous for its Valley of the Temples and ancient aqueducts. However, these aqueducts are drying up, forcing hotels to turn tourists away due to insufficient water. Sicily began water restrictions in February, declaring a state of emergency because of a severe drought.

 
The drought has drastically reduced water availability, affecting over 1 million people across 93 communities. Taps often run dry, and water is completely shut off overnight. This has led to potential tourists reconsidering their visits. Hotels are advising clients about water shortages, with some rebooking in less affected areas.

 
At Le Cinque Novelle B&B in Agrigento, owners installed filters to conserve water, but guests still complain. The situation severely impacts the local economy, heavily reliant on tourism. The Sicilian government has requested subsidies to import water, but no concrete plan exists yet.

 
Last year, wildfires forced tourist evacuations, and now water shortages add to Sicily's woes. Climate change has intensified Europe's heat, with Sicily breaking temperature records. Other Italian regions face droughts, but Sicily's is classified as "extreme," the highest level.

 
Agrigento and other areas suffer from insufficient rainfall, leading to significant water scarcity. The regional government declared a crisis in February, lasting until year-end. Farmers are also struggling, with livestock and crops at risk due to lack of water.

 
Efforts to resolve the crisis include drilling new wells and repairing infrastructure. However, progress is slow, and Sicily hasn't received enough funding. The drought threatens the region's economic stability, with tourism and agriculture heavily impacted.