The artificial lake in Rome's EUR district, known to Romans as the laghetto, could open to bathers within five years thanks to a plan to make its waters suitable for swimming. Rome's water management company ACEA has begun carrying out studies commissioned by the company that owns the lake, EUR Spa, which in turn is 90 per cent owned by Italy's finance ministry and 10 per cent by the city of Rome.

The €8 million project, financed by EUR Spa, is part of a €45 million redevelopment plan for the EUR neighbourhood, including the renovation of the facades of landmark buildings from the fascist era. The lake, which has a surface area measuring more than 85 sqm and a depth varying between two and four metres, is home to birds and fish and is popular with canoeists.