Future scenarios for the Integrated Water Service in Lombardy: An industrial vision at the intersection of resilience, innovation, and governance reform
Journal title ECONOMIA PUBBLICA
Author/s Donato Berardi, Francesca Bellaera, Francesca Signori, Samir Traini, Cosimo Zecchi
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2026/1
Language Italian Pages 20 P. 97-116 File size 218 KB
DOI 10.3280/EP2026-001006
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The Integrated Water Service in Lombardy is undergoing a profound transformation, in which the modernisation of existing infrastructure intersects with growing challenges linked to climate change, the evolution of European objectives, and increasingly stringent regulatory and environmental requirements. Drawing on interviews with all Integrated Water Service operators active in Lombardy, this contribution conveys ‒ through their direct perspectives ‒ the sector’s priorities, critical issues, and development trajectories. ARERA’s technical quality indicators provide the reference framework for investment choices, which are currently focused primarily on reducing water losses and upgrading sewerage systems, while additional needs are emerging in relation to safeguarding water quality, upgrading wastewater treatment (including in response to the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and energy-neutrality targets), and the integrated management of stormwater. In parallel, the consolidation of industrial and operational synergies and the adoption of supra-local approaches are identified as strategic levers. From a financial standpoint, the growth in investment requirements calls for a balanced mix of public funding, guarantee instruments, and greater social acceptability of tariff adjustments. Finally, the paper highlights the need to strengthen governance and regional coordination, streamline procedures, and reduce permitting timelines in order to ensure effective implementation
Keywords: Integrated Water Service operators, infrastructure investments, climate resilience, wastewater treatment and reuse, stormwater management, governance reform
Jel codes: Q25, Q53, Q54, L95
Donato Berardi, Francesca Bellaera, Francesca Signori, Samir Traini, Cosimo Zecchi, Scenari del Servizio Idrico Integrato in Lombardia: la visione industriale tra resilienza, innovazione e riforma della governance in "ECONOMIA PUBBLICA " 1/2026, pp 97-116, DOI: 10.3280/EP2026-001006