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Rome, 14 October 2025

Under the coordination of Alessandro Bratti, the International Network of Basin Organisations (INBO) organised a working meeting on 14 October 2025 at the Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale dell’Appennino Centrale (AUBAC) in Rome. Welcomed by Marco Casini, Secretary General of AUBAC, INBO exchanged views with representatives of the main Italian basin authorities on the challenges of integrated water management, data sharing and prospects for innovation.

AUBAC, a strategic player in water management in central Italy

Created in 2018, AUBAC brings together seven regions, 900 municipalities and nearly nine million inhabitants. It covers several river basins, including that of the Tiber, the third largest in Italy. The authority is responsible for water quality, coastal management and hydrological monitoring. It works to centralise and harmonise data from regional sensors, requiring inter-institutional agreements to facilitate access.

AUBAC also presented its digital twin, freely accessible via the abdac.it portal. This innovative tool allows users to visualise hydrological data, analyse quantitative balances and anticipate the impacts of climate change on water resources.

Growing pressure on resources

The Central Apennine basin receives an average of 800 mm of rainfall per year, but the effects of climate change, rising temperatures, increased evaporation, and pressures related to drinking water use are being felt.

Each year, approximately 3 billion m³ of water is withdrawn from the basin, divided equally between drinking water and agriculture. Although the authorities issue withdrawal permits, there is no obligation to report on the volumes actually used, which complicates the overall monitoring of the resource.

Scientific cooperation and innovation

AUBAC maintains close partnerships with universities and supports PhD students in their work on hydrological modelling and sustainable water management. Groundwater will soon be integrated into the digital twin, providing a comprehensive view of the water cycle in the region.

Collective dynamics between Italian basin authorities

In a second phase, the meeting brought together representatives of other Italian basin authorities:

  • Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale dell’Appennino Settentrionale,
  • Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale dell’Appennino Meridionale,
  • Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale delle Alpi Orientali,
  • and the Autorità di Bacino del Distretto del Po.

These exchanges provided an opportunity to share experiences and innovations in hydrological planning, quantitative monitoring and data management.

Towards enhanced cooperation with INBO

This meeting is part of the technical and institutional cooperation promoted by INBO, notably through the P2P (peer-to-peer) initiatives, the One Water Vision and the use of satellite data to support integrated basin management.