Welfare provision e variabili locali: il caso del servizio idrico integrato

State law grants Italian Regions the power to identify River Basin District Authorities that shall replace the former competent bodies and be responsible of water services reorganisation. Such district authorities designated by the regional legislation are the only competent body to make decisions regarding the water services management plans and organisation. Ensuring competition in the procurement of water services is still within the scope of State law, as well as the matter of environmental protection. The Law of the Liguria Region does not provide for procurement rules but grants autonomy to even the smallest municipalities regarding their local water utilities organisation and administration. When the Italian Constitutional Court has declared this Regional Law unconstitutional, it shed light on the inner contradictions of the Italian water management legislation which does not adequately meet the need for overcoming territorial imbalances, and the 2011 referendum outcome.