During the recent SD-WISHEES project workshop, under the Horizon Europe programme, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on collaborative research and innovation strategies to address the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage.
At the event, Dr Matthew Agius from the University of Malta presented the findings of the SIGMA (Seismic Imaging of Groundwater for Maltese Aquifers) project, highlighting its innovative use of seismic methods to characterise aquifer dynamics across Malta.
The Energy and Water Agency (EWA) has played a key role in supporting Project SIGMA, an initiative that is transforming how groundwater in Malta’s aquifers is monitored. SIGMA is led by researchers at the University of Malta and is funded through EWA’s Research & Innovation scheme under the national strategy for energy and water research.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on drilling and borehole measurements, Project SIGMA uses ambient seismic noise, the natural and human-generated vibrations that constantly travel through the earth, to “listen” to changes in subsurface water. By analysing variations in seismic wave velocities, researchers can infer how groundwater levels shift over time across broader areas. This approach offers a novel, cost-effective, and less invasive way to understand critical freshwater resources on Malta’s limestone islands.
EWA’s financial and strategic support has enabled the team to develop and deploy this seismic monitoring system, helping to fill knowledge gaps about groundwater behaviour, which is especially important for an island nation that faces water scarcity and high demand on limited resources. By backing SIGMA, EWA is fostering cutting-edge research that could enhance long-term water management, not only in Malta but in other regions facing similar hydrogeological challenges.
In addition to funding, EWA has shown SIGMA’s progress alongside other innovative water research at public events, highlighting the Agency’s commitment to advancing scientific solutions that support sustainability and resilience in the water sector.
