The New Upper Section of the Peschiera Aqueduct is a project to build new water infrastructure, parallel to the existing system, to ensure the security, continuity, and quality of the water supply to the city of Rome and the areas served by the aqueduct over the coming decades.
The current upper section has been in operation for almost ninety years; therefore, the project is part of the process of modernising the water system. The new infrastructure will enable safe maintenance work of the existing infrastructure and strengthen the reliability and resilience of the entire aqueduct system, while ensuring the highest standards of water resource protection.
The current aqueduct has been in operation for almost ninety years. The project is essential to strengthen the system’s safety and align it with the highest technological and safety standards.
The Peschiera-Capore Aqueduct is about 130 km long and is the main water supply infrastructure for Rome’s metropolitan area. Overall, it serves 151 municipalities and approximately 4 million people.
The project involves constructing new infrastructure about 27 km long, running through eight municipalities from the Peschiera springs to the Salisano plant.
During the works, specific control and qualitative and quantitative groundwater flow monitoring measures will be implemented to prevent and promptly manage any service disruptions.
The route will run through eight municipalities in the Province of Rieti: Cittaducale, Castel Sant'Angelo, Rieti, Belmonte in Sabina, Monte San Giovanni in Sabina, Montenero Sabino, Mompeo, and Salisano. Not all areas will be affected to the same extent.
The new route runs entirely underground to minimise impact on the local area and better protect the infrastructure.
Construction sites are designed to meet sustainability and impact-mitigation criteria, using mechanised excavation technologies, dedicated traffic and logistics plans, and measures to reduce disruption to the local area. Dedicated plans are in place for traffic and logistics management, along with measures to reduce noise, dust, and heavy vehicle traffic, as well as continuous environmental monitoring systems to limit the impact of the works and preserve the quality of life of affected communities.
Only residential areas located near the infrastructure route will be affected. Where possible, an underground route has been chosen specifically to reduce the visual impact.
Most activities will be carried out underground, using mechanised excavation techniques to minimise surface impact.
The project will help reduce the risk of service interruptions and ensure greater continuity and reliability of the drinking water supply.
Yes. The infrastructure meets high safety standards and is designed to withstand seismic events, while ensuring service continuity under all conditions.
The project incorporates high resilience standards, including those related to seismic events, to ensure continuity of the water service under all operating conditions.
The infrastructure is designed based on an advanced model that integrates digital solutions and advanced technologies – including sensors, artificial intelligence, and predictive monitoring tools – for efficient and proactive system management.
The New Upper Section of the Peschiera Aqueduct strengthens water resilience in the area, promotes energy efficiency through gravity-fed conveyance, and includes monitoring systems to protect water resources and ecosystems.
The total investment in the project is estimated at approximately €1.5 billion. Of this amount, €850 million is funded by the State (€700 million under Budget Law No. 197/2022 and €150 million under Decree-Law No. 89/2024), while Acea Ato 2, as the project proponent, bears the remaining amount.
Although its primary purpose is to meet Rome’s water needs, the project also benefits the areas it passes through by strengthening the resilience of the local water system and supporting employment, supply chains, and business demand during the construction phase. Financial resources are also earmarked for the areas concerned, with the methods of use and allocation criteria defined by the Special Commissioner.
