by InTrieste
Interview: Fabio Scoccimarro, Regional Councilor for Environmental Protection; AcegasApsAmga, multi-utility company and developer of the project
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has begun work on a major water infrastructure project aimed at strengthening Trieste’s drinking water system and improving its resilience in the face of climate change.
The initiative, known as the third aqueduct of Trieste, will add a 20-kilometer water pipeline across the Karst Plateau, a limestone upland that has long posed technical challenges for water supply. Once completed, the new line is expected to significantly improve the reliability of water delivery to the city and surrounding areas, particularly during periods of drought or system stress.
Regional officials describe the project as one of the most consequential investments in local infrastructure in recent decades. Fabio Scoccimarro, the regional councillor for environmental protection, said the aqueduct is designed not only as an engineering upgrade but also as a strategic response to increasingly frequent climate-related pressures on water resources.
Water scarcity has become a growing concern across Italy, including in the northeast, where prolonged dry spells have exposed vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure. Trieste, which relies on a complex network of pipelines and treatment facilities, has historically depended on a limited number of main supply lines, leaving the system more exposed to failures or interruptions.
The new aqueduct is intended to address that risk by increasing redundancy within the network. With a third major supply line in place, the city will be better positioned to maintain service during maintenance work, emergencies or extreme weather events.
The total investment for the project is estimated at €180 million, making it one of the largest public works currently underway in the region. Regional authorities say the cost reflects not only the length of the pipeline but also the technical complexity of construction in the Karst area, where porous rock formations and underground cavities require specialized engineering solutions.
Beyond the pipeline itself, the project is part of a broader effort to modernize the integrated water system across Friuli Venezia Giulia. That strategy includes continuous monitoring of wastewater treatment plants, improvements to water purification processes and measures aimed at reducing losses within the network. According to regional officials, newer facilities will also be designed with energy efficiency in mind, helping to limit long-term operating costs.
The third aqueduct has been developed by AcegasApsAmga, the multi-utility company that manages water services in Trieste and several other municipalities. Funding has been secured through Italy’s National Plan for Infrastructure Interventions and Water Security, a program created to strengthen critical water systems nationwide.
Key to the project’s approval and financing has been the role of Ausir, the regional authority responsible for planning and overseeing the integrated water service in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Ausir coordinates infrastructure investments and manages the financial planning of the water system, ensuring alignment between regional priorities and national funding mechanisms.
The aqueduct is also a central element of the region’s master plan for water security, which identifies strategic projects intended to safeguard access to water for households, businesses and public services over the coming decades.
Regional leaders have emphasized cooperation between public institutions and service operators as a defining feature of the project. Officials argue that long-term planning and coordination are essential in a sector where infrastructure lifespans extend well beyond political cycles.
Construction timelines have not yet been finalized publicly, but authorities say the project reflects a shift toward more proactive management of natural resources. As climate variability places new demands on water systems across Europe, Trieste’s third aqueduct is being presented as a model of how cities with complex geography can adapt through targeted, large-scale investment.
For residents and businesses, the impact may be largely invisible once the pipeline is in place. But regional officials contend that the benefits — greater reliability, reduced risk of disruptions and a more efficient system — will be felt over time, helping to secure one of the region’s most essential resources for future generations.
