Consultation on Groundwater Abstraction Concludes, Shaping Sustainable Water Policies

The Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, alongside the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), launched a public consultation on regulating groundwater abstraction, focusing on conservation and sustainable management. The public consultation ran from the 23^rd of November 2023 to the 18^th of January 2024, and invited public feedback public on proposed policies aimed at sustainable groundwater management, a key component of Malta’s 3^rd River Basin Management Plan (RBMP). The draft framework introduces proposals on quotas, tariffs, and financial incentives to encourage responsible groundwater use, given Malta’s environmental challenges, including increasing drought conditions and growing water demand driven by climate change.

Feedback was received from 23 stakeholders, representing agriculture, the private sector, NGOs, and the public. Responses were roughly divided, with 11 respondents broadly supported the proposed framework while suggesting improvements, and 12 respondents raised specific concerns or sought clarification on its potential impacts.

The main themes and key issues identified include:

1. Enforcement and regulation which emerged as the most significant theme, with 11 out of 23 responses stressing the need for robust regulatory oversight. Respondents emphasised the importance of enforcement to address the issue of illegal boreholes, ensure compliance with regulations on mandatory cisterns and reservoirs, and verify crop plans. These measures are deemed essential to protect groundwater resources against unauthorised and unsustainable abstraction.
2. Equitable resource allocation to ensure fair access to groundwater was highlighted as a priority. Agricultural representatives called for improved accessibility to New Water, especially in areas where current supply does not meet demand. Access to affordable, alternative water sources could help reduce pressure on groundwater and allow farmers to manage resources more sustainably.
3. Costs and competitive fairness – many respondents, particularly small-scale farmers, expressed concerns that the proposed framework might lead to increased costs for bowser water. They warned that such costs could discourage local food production, especially in regions where New Water remains unavailable. Commercial stakeholders also emphasised the need for transparent groundwater tariff structures to prevent market imbalances.
4. Non-essential groundwater use was raised as a concern about groundwater usage for non-essential purposes, such as filling swimming pools, landscaping, and creating artificial ponds. Some participants recommended prioritising essential agricultural and domestic uses over commercial or recreational applications.

EWA and ERA will incorporate the feedback into a refined framework, to be presented in an upcoming White Paper. This document will include additional details on the proposed licensing system, tariff structures, and enforcement strategies. The White Paper will be open for further public review, ensuring all stakeholders have the opportunity to engage in finalising the policy to protect Malta’s groundwater.

A more detailed summary of the consultation results can be found in the feedback document linked here.