Freshwater - Why care? (Italy)

Italy receives a quantity of rainwater significantly above the European average, but because of uneven distribution both in space and time, rainfall does not provide for either uniform use or reserve. The differences in latitude and elevation between northern and southern Italy produce considerable differences in climate and average rainfall. Also, because the rivers are  mostly relatively short, when abnormal rainfall concentrates in short periods  this causes rapid flows of water towards the sea, preventing storage in water courses, lakes and subsoil, and resulting in the loss of enormous quantities of water. Furthermore, the increased use of water by industry, agriculture and households  is depleting groundwater reserves, emphasising the need  to  avoid resource pollution and  wastage.