Water is a necessity for life, essential not only for survival but also for improving the quality of life. Given the limited naturally available water resources in the Maltese islands, the Energy and Water Agency has continuously sought sustainable solutions to meet the country’s water requirements. In collaboration with the British Geological Survey and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, over 60 monitoring stations have been established across Malta and Gozo. This initiative was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the hydrological system, addressing the monitoring needs of rainwater, surface waters, and groundwater.
During her speech Minister Dalli emphasised that developing such a network supports the Government’s vision for sustainable water resource use. She stated that it ensures sufficient water reserves and necessary infrastructure to guarantee a secure supply for Malta’s needs while protecting natural water resources and associated ecosystems. Minister Dalli remarked, “Ultimately, this integrated approach to water management will also ensure that we can enjoy cleaner recreational areas, including valleys, beaches, and coastal regions, providing a more attractive tourism product.” She acknowledged that this development was made possible through collaboration with various government entities within the Ministry, particularly the Water Services Corporation, the Environment and Resources Authority, and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works.
Mr. Manuel Sapiano, CEO of the Energy and Water Agency (EWA), highlighted that this comprehensive and innovative monitoring that is being done by the Agency will allow us to see how the quality and quantity of our waters, be it rainfall, runoff or groundwater, varies over time. This data will enable preventive actions and improvements in existing practices to ensure robust protection of Malta’s water resources in the coming years.
Dr David MacDonald from the British Geological Survey presented detailed insights into the design and implementation of groundwater monitoring aspects during the conference. His presentation focused on how these monitoring stations would enhance understanding of groundwater dynamics in Malta.
Dr Andrew Newell, also from the British Geological Survey, discussed geological, hydrogeological, and hydrochemical characterisations of Maltese groundwater monitoring sites. His findings emphasised the importance of understanding local geology to effectively manage water resources.
In the second part of the conference, Helen Houghton-Carr, a senior hydrologist from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, explained hydrometeorological aspects of the monitoring network. She emphasised that as temperatures rise across Europe, particularly in Malta, the implications of climate change are increasingly evident in the groundwater. Projects like this are crucial as they provide information to anticipate problems early on and identify immediate solutions.
Preliminary results were also presented, showcasing how this network would offer real-time insights into the entire water cycle, from rainfall to runoff leading to groundwater. This innovative initiative aims to assess not just surface waters but also the entire aquifer lens.
In the concluding remarks, EWA’s Water Chief Policy Officer Dr Michael Schembri stated that “these monitoring networks are vital for our country because they will help identify suitable measures and highlight the positive impacts of such initiatives.” The information gathered will be essential in supporting Malta’s compliance with EU water-related directives, including the Water Framework Directive, Groundwater Directive, and Drinking Water Directive.
Additionally, drilling deep groundwater wells has provided the Energy and Water Agency with opportunities to retrieve geological cores for establishing Malta’s first national geological archive, serving as a reference point for future geological studies on the islands.
