Why is water scarce in Malta?

The Maltese islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino – are small and densely populated. They have no natural lakes or rivers. The semi-arid Mediterranean climate means rainfall is low and unpredictable. Aquifers are the main source of water, but not sufficient to meet the population’s needs sustainably.

How has Malta historically managed water scarcity?

As well as tapping groundwater, residents of both rural and urban areas have traditionally used cisterns to harvest rainwater. In the late 19th century, several small dams were built in Qliegħa Valley to retain rainwater. Fields are stepped to help prevent rainfall running off directly into the sea. 

What is the current approach?

Malta’s water management framework involves increasing the supply of non-conventional water resources – that is, alternatives to groundwater – as well as improving management of leaks and reducing demand for water through public education.

By 2021, desalinated seawater will account for 32% of the country’s water use, with 11% coming from harvested rainwater and 8% from treated wastewater.

Doesn’t it take lots of energy to desalinate sea water?

The process is increasingly efficient: it now takes 3 kWh of energy to desalinate one cubic metre of sea water, down from 7 kWh around a decade ago. This is due to improvements in reverse-osmosis membrane technologies, plant design and energy recovery technologies. Supplying water now accounts for 6 percent of the country’s electricity consumption, down from 12 percent.  

Malta’s three desalination plants – a fourth is being constructed – are located where water can be sourced through deep sea wells, as the purifying effect of the bedrock lessens the need for energy-intensive pre-treatment.

How is wastewater treated for reuse?

The three-stage treatment – consisting of ultrafiltration, low-pressure reverse osmosis, and advanced oxidation – makes the water of high enough quality for use in growing food, as well as landscaping and industry. Malta’s water utility, WSC, has invested in over 70km of pipes to distribute up to seven billion litres of recycled water per year. 

What about rainwater harvesting?

Legislation requires new urban developments to include reservoirs for rainwater harvesting, while funding is available for farmers in install small on-field reservoir systems.

Does improved leak management have a big impact?

Yes. Overall municipal demand for water has come down by 40% since 1992, and this is mainly due to better management of leaks – despite an increasing population and improving standards of living, which generally imply higher per-capita demand for water. 

How is Malta educating the public to use less water?

The Water – Be The Change campaign informs people about water use in Malta and what they can do to reduce their own water usage.

The website contains a wide range of tips for the home (for example, when you turn on the hot tap and wait for it to run hot, collect the water and use it to water plants); the garden (for example, wash your dog next to plants that need watering); agriculture (for example, use mulch to conserve moisture in soil); and industry (for example, use native Maltese plants in landscaping as they require less water).  

The National Water Conservation Awareness Centre – GĦAJN works with the islands’ schools on conservation projects and offers interactive games and educational activities for visitors.

Does the price of water disincentivize overuse?

Water tariffs are structured to make water affordable for necessities while discouraging excessive use. Up to a threshold of 90 litres per person per day, water costs EUR 1.39 per cubic metre (a cubic metre contains a thousand litres); beyond this, the price increases sharply to EUR 5.14 per cubic metre.  

On average, Maltese people consume 110 litres per person per day, which is relatively low compared to other European countries. 

Could water use be even more efficient?

Yes. Around 70% of household water use is hygiene related, mostly either showering or flushing. Reusing shower water to flush toilets could significantly reduce water use.

How will climate change affect Malta’s water situation?

Higher temperatures, and the combination of lower overall rainfall but more intense downpours, are likely to exacerbate Malta’s existing water challenges. Nonetheless, Malta has a plan to become “net zero impact” by giving back to aquifers as much water as it takes from them.  

The eight-year, EUR 17 million, EU-funded LIFE IP project, led by Malta’s Energy and Water Agency, is currently developing a comprehensive framework to manage water resources which can inform similar efforts in other Mediterranean countries.