Hydrogeological Map of Italy at the 1:500,000 Scale (CII500K)
On the occasion of World Water Day, ISPRA highlights the strategic role of hydrogeological knowledge in the protection and sustainable management of water resources.
In Italy, more than 80% of the water intended for human consumption comes from groundwater. This figure underscores the importance of having reliable knowledge tools to understand, manage, and protect a resource that is fundamental for the country.
The Hydrogeological Map of Italy at the 1:500,000 scale (CII500K) represents a national-scale synthesis product aimed at describing the main hydrogeological complexes and the dynamics of groundwater. The map provides an organic and homogeneous overview of the territory, useful for analyzing available resources at the national level.
The map integrates geological and hydrogeological data according to shared criteria, ensuring consistency and comparability at the national scale, and makes it possible to:
- identify the main aquifer systems (the actual underground reservoirs of water);
- visualize the main springs from which the resource is drawn;
- analyze the recharge and circulation processes of groundwater;
- support the integrated interpretation of environmental processes.