Water Highway Works Proceed Smoothly in Florence and Surrounding Areas

The large-scale intervention on Florence’s “Autostrada dell’Acqua” (Water Highway) is proceeding as planned, with no major disruptions reported in the water supply. The works, which began late Friday evening and will continue through Saturday, involve the installation of two large pre-assembled connection sections at construction sites in Piazza Donatello and Piazza Beccaria.

According to Publiacqua, the company managing the regional water supply, the pressure across Florence and Campi Bisenzio has decreased, as expected, but without widespread service interruptions. Some isolated problems have been reported, mostly in upper-floor apartments or areas defined as “red zones” without water pressurization systems (autoclaves).

In Prato, where pressure was predicted to peak in the early morning (7:00–9:00 AM), the service was fully guaranteed. However, from 9:00 AM to noon, reduced pressure may have caused some temporary issues. Other municipalities in the Florence metropolitan area — including Calenzano, Sesto Fiorentino, and Signa — have not reported significant problems.

To mitigate any service gaps, Publiacqua deployed 29 water tankers (autobotti) across the affected areas.

Overnight, workers successfully carried out a crucial phase of the project: closing and emptying the 1.2-meter-diameter pipelines, followed by cutting and preparing the connections to the new infrastructure. Final reconnections are being completed throughout Saturday. Full water pressure and normal service are expected to return gradually between Saturday evening and the night of Sunday, May 11.

Publiacqua expressed appreciation for the public’s cooperation, noting a substantial drop in water consumption during the works — down 20% in Prato and 15% in Campi Bisenzio, Sesto Fiorentino, and Calenzano. “This shows great civic responsibility,” said Publiacqua President Nicola Perini. “We thank the residents and all the workers involved for their contribution to minimizing disruption.”

Anyone still experiencing problems on Sunday morning is encouraged to contact the toll-free number 800 314 314 to request immediate assistance.

For updates on water pressure in specific municipalities, Publiacqua will continue to issue notices in the coming hours