MILAN – The Expo addresses the issues of land and water use because in the one billion 600 million people around the world live without it, and in Italy the loss of water supply network is 35% per year at a cost of 200 million. It is the wish that Gian Vito Graziano, Chairman of the National Council of Geologists, hopes will be accepted by all countries that will have a presence at the Expo in Milan.
Access to water, a worldwide problem
Graziano states that “one billion 600 million people on earth lack access to drinking water and, without adequate policies, it is likely that within a few years it will reach three billion people. A consideration to which waste and the use of pollutant materials that have produced an unacceptable degradation of water resources”, must be added.
Italy's case
"The loss of water supply networks are greater on average than 35% - continued Graziano - the sewer network still does not serve 15% of Italians". According to complaint reports, one Italian in three, has problems with purifiers. The water comes out of the taps in fits particularly in the South. "An industrial cost - says Graziano - estimated at more than 200 million Euro per year and a loss of revenue for the Italian system of over 3 billion Euro per year. Pollution of 40% of rivers and lakes continues to produce serious environmental emergencies and heavy EU financial sanctions that the Government and the Regions must pay".
The commitment of the States
"Those who cares about the planet and the future of humanity - concluded Graziano - can only work towards water being a resource available to all, which integrity must be protected by law and through the firm and unwaivering will and determination of those who govern. We know that management and water regulation was even attributed the function of ‘indirect weapon’ in some current conflicts. If we want all people of the North or South throughout the world to have access to drinking water without any conditions, States must establish protocols to defend the freedom to access".