The Integrated Water Service in the Italian Legal System between Solidarity and Competion: an Overview

The essay analyzes the complex evolution of the Italian regulatory framework on water supply, which is a so-called integrated public service, since it conserves as a whole the public services of catchment, intake and supply of water for all kinds of uses, for sewerage purposes, and for the depuration of waste waters. The integrated water service shall be managed in compliance with the principles enshrined in the European Union Law which mantains a neutral position with respect to the private or public models of management of SGEIs. The model will be choosen in light of the principle of solidarity, especially when tariffs are concerned, as water is a public good