The water that comes out of the taps in Rome is among the best in Italy, according to a recent survey by Altro Consumo a magazine published by an Italian consumer association. Springs in the provinces of Rieti and Rome supply almost 3 million consumers in the city. The water is constantly tested and Altro Consumo found that the chemical composition of the water is as good as, if not better than, any commercially-bottled water, with sufficient calcium and magnesium to give it a good taste.

However more than 46 per cent of Romans prefer to drink bottled mineral water, mainly because they fear that pesticides and fertilizers will have seeped into the aquifers.