Puglia and Basilicata united by water: joint management relaunched

Puglia and Basilicata united by water

On 20 April 2026, Puglia and Basilicata stepped up cooperation on water resource management by renewing practical coordination under a programme agreement first signed in 1999 and updated in 2016. The renewed dialogue has already yielded tangible results, including the reactivation of the Pappadai dam in the Taranto area.

Leaders of the farming sector welcomed the joint initiative. Leonardo Moscaritolo, president of CIA Agricoltori Italiani Basilicata, highlighted the need for a temporary water supply from the Ofanto scheme: "We hope for the reconfirmation of 5-6 million cubic metres of water to Basilicata from the Ofanto ripartitore at Rocchetta Sant'Antonio" until works on the Rendina dam are completed.

Gennaro Sicolo, president of CIA Puglia, noted that a unified strategy allows optimization of infrastructure management and maintenance costs and supports timely investment planning for the primary sector.

Key points

• Reactivation of the Pappadai dam in Taranto, providing immediate irrigation benefits.
• Temporary supply requested: 5–6 million cubic metres from the Ofanto scheme to support Basilicata.
• Planned works on the Rendina dam: a €114 million project expected to increase water autonomy.
• Goal: ensure continuity for agricultural, livestock and agro-food businesses and reduce vulnerability to extreme climate events.

The strengthened agreement between the two regions is presented as a coordinated response to water emergencies and a strategic tool to support the agricultural economy of southern Italy, moving from emergency measures to medium- and long-term planning.