STA, 15 July 2022 - Prolonged drought has prompted water restrictions in the coastal region as well as many other areas in the country. The latest such measure to be taken in the region is a ban on using drinking water to irrigate agricultural land and for other agricultural uses.
The ban is a result of escalating droughts and a further decline of available water resources, the Koper water utility company said on Friday.
Farmers have been dreading this against the backdrop of warnings that the current drought may be the worst in 50 years.
The decision comes after a number of other measures were adopted to mitigate the situation in the coastal-Karst region.
Until further notice, sprinkler systems on public lawns are turned off, as are showers on all beaches and fountains in public areas. Watering of lawns and car washing are banned, with the exception of car washes using recycled water. Utilities will continue to water trees and flowerbeds only from potential water wells and other water sources.
The Koper water utility warns that compliance with the restrictions is the only way to avoid water supply disruptions before the end of this month.
The similar situation occurred in 2012 when calls for water efficiency were successful and there was no need for restrictions, the company's director, Martin Pregelj, noted in late June when the situation started to escalate.
Many municipalities in the wider Primorska region and elsewhere are following suit with similar steps. Some, including those in the east, have also imposed a ban on watering gardens, car washing and filling up swimming pools.
Drought is currently the worst in the northern Gorenjska and western Goriška regions and in most of the Primorska region, but other areas are also at risk of severe water shortages, with the exception of the north-east, shows fresh data by the Environment Agency.
