Water scarcity in Malta |
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| Authors: | N Birdi |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Geography, University of Durham, Durham, UK |
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| Abstract: | The water problem in Malta reflects to a significant extent water problems in the rest of the Mediterranean region. Rising water demands have resulted in increasing levels of production. Groundwater resources have been exploited beyond their sustainable yield resulting in water shortages, and salinity levels in groundwater, and ultimately tapwater, have risen to unacceptable levels for human health, and in some cases agriculture and industry. Increasing levels of pollution, mainly from agro-chemicals, have also caused a deterioration in groundwater quality, resulting in unacceptable concentrations of nitrate compounds in tapwater for certain settlments. The competition for good quality water often leads to conflict between consumers and between consumers and the Government. To try and curb groundwater extraction and the poor quality of tapwater, the Maltese Government has resorted to large scale desalination by Reverse Osmosis. Unfortunately the nature of the distribution system is such that there is an inequity in the quantity and quality of water supplied. Certain settlements receive little or no water, usually of relatively poor quality, for long periods, while others receive large amounts, usually of the relatively good quality Reverse Osmosis water. These problems and their causes are discussed and solutions are briefly considered. |
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