No fines issued, and restrictions being respected. Initial checks on compliance with the ordinance aimed at curbing water consumption in San Marino paint a positive picture, despite concerns over drought and scarce rainfall in recent months.
San Marino RTV reports that the Azienda Autonoma di Stato per i Servizi Pubblici (AASS) has thanked citizens for the “great sense of responsibility shown” in recent days.
The ordinance bans watering gardens and vegetable patches, washing private courtyards and streets, filling swimming pools, and washing vehicles outside of service stations. The measures were introduced as a precaution to protect water reserves and prevent a surge in demand during the hottest part of the summer.
According to San Marino RTV, no sanctions have been recorded so far. The measure nonetheless provides for fines that, for domestic users, start at 150 euros and can reach up to a thousand euros from the third violation onward. For high-volume domestic consumers and users with other types of connections, fines can go as high as 2,000 euros.
The inspections have also had an unexpected benefit. AASS director Emanuele Forcellini explained that during the checks, several leaks in the network were identified and subsequently repaired.
For now, then, the crackdown on water use appears to have been well received by the public, though attention remains high on water availability in the coming weeks.
