(ANSA) - UDINE, 03 MAR - TRIESTE, March 2 - Ensuring an uninterrupted water supply to the population in the event of extraordinary circumstances such as drought, natural disasters, technical failures, or other unforeseen situations. This is the objective behind the cross-border mutual drinking water supply agreement for emergencies signed today by AcegasApsAmga and Rižanski vodovod Koper d.o.o., confirming their cooperation in the water supply sector in the border area between Italy and Slovenia, which began with a pilot project in 2023. Since the latest agreement between the two water systems, the existing cross-border connection in the Santa Barbara area (Municipality of Muggia) - Elerji (Municipality of Koper) has been upgraded, funded by the Slovenian government. The connection allows for a bidirectional flow of drinking water between the two countries, creating an additional safety network for users on both sides of the border. The agreement sets out technical, operational, and quality standards for water supply, which may be activated in emergencies, temporarily upon prior notice, or within a limited annual volume, with quantities and flow rates defined in advance. "The conclusion of this agreement marks a significant step in cross-border cooperation in the field of water resource management and confirms an approach based on reliability, prevention, and collaboration between systems. Strengthening resilience means complementing infrastructure with organizational and decision-making models capable of ensuring service continuity even in complex scenarios, such as those imposed by climate change," said Carlo Andriolo, CEO of AcegasApsAmga spa. "The upgraded cross-border connection enables us to respond even more effectively to emergencies. Today's agreement consolidates a long-standing collaboration and confirms the shared commitment to ensuring a safe and stable drinking water supply for the residents of the entire region," observed Martin Pregelj, Director of Rižanski vodovod Koper d.o.o. (ANSA).