Torbole Flooding: Sewer and Drainage Repairs Still Delayed

As usual, when a violent (recently also moderate) thunderstorm hits, the central square of the town automatically experiences sewage gushing from manhole covers. Additionally, to make matters worse, a stream of water from the “Nago” flows in to feed the disgraceful flooding. This has been well documented in recent years.

Many understandable complaints from those directly affected have gone unheard, remaining unaddressed to this day. The latest incident of a long series occurred the day before yesterday, during the last storm that struck the area. Yet, the problem still does not seem to have been tackled with the appropriate determination.

Infrastructure conditions

And yet, dining or having lunch (it makes no difference) at the town square’s restaurants with feet almost in the organic residue and related materials should require a bit more attention and caution. Unfortunately, the promised works by the Comune (Municipality) regarding the sewer network remain unseen.

As for the works carried out by the Provincia (Province) on the stormwater drainage system into the lake, they are entirely insufficient, almost useless. The volume of water rushing downstream to reach the lowest part of Torbole (the square, precisely) is such that a few manholes cannot contain it.

In reality, the water just flows over it without any benefit. It is also known that the Municipality has scheduled interventions. The problem was identified (though no one is certain) in the old Fitta canal along Via Matteotti, which may also be clogged.

Future interventions and solutions

This canal functions as a stormwater drain, but when the sewer network was built, a pipe with overflow slots was also installed inside it. During heavy rain, water would enter these slots, filling the pipe and preventing the normal flow of sewage coming from the square. This would effectively serve Nago’s sewer system.

To partially address the recurring issues, there are plans, in any case, to divert part of the sewer passing under the square by constructing a bypass. These works have obviously not yet begun and are significantly delayed. Naturally, until any action is taken, residents will have to accept the usual filthy floods.