The Republic of San Marino has declared a state of water emergency. The decision comes in response to prolonged drought, high temperatures and restrictions on drawing water from the Marecchia river, with the aim of ensuring the continuity of the drinking water supply. Ordinance No. 1/2026, which will take effect on Monday, August 10, introduces a series of bans, administrative penalties and a surcharge on higher domestic water consumption.
“The scarce rainfall recorded in recent months, combined with the high temperatures of the past few weeks, have led to a significant reduction in the availability of water resources and a simultaneous increase in drinking water consumption,” reads a statement released by the State Public Services Authority (Azienda Autonoma di Stato per i Servizi Pubblici, AASS).
Compounding the situation are “the restrictions on drawing water from the Marecchia river imposed by the Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for the Prevention, Environment and Energy (ARPAE), making it necessary to adopt further measures to protect water resources.”
For this reason, the ordinance was issued “declaring a state of water emergency, in order to ensure the continuity of the drinking water supply service and safeguard the right to water intended for human consumption, the use of which takes priority over any other use of the resource.”
Bans in force from August 10
During the emergency period, the following will be prohibited:
- watering lawns, vegetable gardens and gardens;
- washing courtyards, driveways, stairways and private roads;
- filling swimming pools;
- pouring water into cisterns and wells;
- washing vehicles, except at service stations equipped with automatic washing systems.
AASS also reminds the public that “overcoming the current water emergency also depends on the responsible cooperation of every citizen,” adding that it has already launched “a dedicated communication and awareness campaign on water conservation, which will be further reinforced during the emergency period.”
The penalties involved
The ordinance also introduces a system of administrative penalties.
For domestic users, fines are set at:
- 150 euros for a first offence;
- 500 euros for a second offence;
- 1,000 euros for each subsequent violation.
For high-volume domestic users and non-domestic users, penalties rise to:
- 500 euros for a first offence;
- 1,000 euros for a second offence;
- 2,000 euros for each subsequent violation.
In addition to the fines, “during the emergency period a surcharge of 20 euros will also be applied for every cubic metre exceeding 30 m³ per month for domestic users, in accordance with current regulations.”
AASS’s appeal
The statement also includes remarks from AASS General Director Marcello Forcellini.
“AASS is constantly monitoring how the situation is evolving and will continue to take every useful action to guarantee continuity of service,” Forcellini said. “Citizens’ cooperation is now the most effective tool for getting through this phase. Even a small reduction in non-essential consumption makes a real contribution to preserving a resource that is vital for the whole community.”
Finally, the Authority renewed its call on residents “to adopt behaviour aimed at maximum water conservation, limiting water use to essential purposes only and postponing any non-essential consumption until the state of emergency ends.”
