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Malta’s water resources ‘among scarcest in the world’, newly-formed association warns
The newly-formed Malta Water Association is warning that urgent action is needed to protect Malta’s water resources which “are among the scarcest in the world and under severe stress.”
Reversing this unsustainable trend will require “difficult decisions” but these measures will only work if the population is informed and encouraged to play its part, the association says.
In its first statement the MWA notes that with annual rainfall of 559mm and a high population density Malta can only provide 58 cubic metres of water per person. The European Union considers any country with less than 2,000m3 per capita as having “very low” water resources.
Due to the shortage of natural water resources Malta is increasingly relying on the costly and energy consuming desalination process which accounts for 56% of Malta’s water supply according to statistics issued by the National Office of Statistics yesterday. Reverse Osmosis Plants consume nearly 4% of Malta’s electricity supply.
The founding members consist of a small number of local water experts including Ing. Dirk De Ketelaere (Hydrologist/Water Resources Management Engineer), Ing. Marco Cremona (Hydrologist/Water Treatment Engineer), Perit Philip Grech (Sewerage and Drainage Engineer), Dr. Gordon Knox (Geologist), Peppi Gauci (Permaculture expert), Keith Buhagiar (Archaeologist specialising in Medieval Maltese Hydrology) and Annalise Falzon (Environmental Educator).
The launch of the Malta Water Association was held this afternoon at the Archbishop’s Palace, Archbishop Street. The venue in itself is an example of sustainable water use due to its reliance on a fresh water spring, which appeared on a map dating from 1566 and which still flows today.
| Contact information | n/a |
|---|---|
| News type | Inbrief |
| File link |
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/malta%E2%80%99s-water-resources-%E2%80%98among-scarcest-in-the-world%E2%80%99-newly-formed-association-warns |
| Source of information | Malta Today |
| Keyword(s) | water shortage |
| Subject(s) | DRINKING WATER , HYDRAULICS - HYDROLOGY , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT , RISKS AND CLIMATOLOGY , WATER DEMAND |
| Relation | http://www.semide.net/countries/fol135532/country933793 |
| Geographical coverage | Malta, |
| News date | 25/03/2011 |
| Working language(s) | ENGLISH |
Launch of the Malta Water Group
By virtue of its small catchment area, less-than-average annual rainfall and high population density, Malta has the highest Water Competitivity Index (i.e. amount of renewable water per capita) in the world.
This is resulting in the continued over-exploitation of the groundwater reserves (and subsequent salinization of the natural water resource) and the increasing dependency on energy-intensive seawater desalination for the production of potable water.
In an effort to increase awareness and impart information on water issues in Malta, a group of water professionals have got together to set up a Malta Water Group.
The Malta Water Group was launched on World Water Day on March 22, 2011 and it's main mission will be to educate school-children, the general population, NGOs, representatives of civil society, religious groups and leaders and politicians.
Posted by jauad at 25 Mar 2011 15:11:34
