France and Italy act to prevent drought problems

France and Italy have both taken measures to prevent water resource problems in what is feared will be another drought year. In France, water rationing has been imposed in seven of the country’s 96 mainland departments, mainly around Paris, which have already had less rain than usual. Officials in Italy announced plans to store water, creating a reserve of 30 million cubic metres of water by reducing water use by electricity plants and agriculture. A TV advertising campaign will also encourage Italians to save water.