Integrated water resources management in small island states with special reference to Malta and Cyprus

Abstract

Water is a vital resource for life. Continually renewable by the hydrological cycle, water is becoming scarcer due to global climate change and as a result of population growth, mass tourism, urbanisation, irrigation and changing lifestyles and consumption patterns. To meet the growing demand for water, the scarcity, unevenness and diminishing quality of water resources in the world require particular emphasis and attention while preserving water resources for future generations. A lack of space and of financial, human and natural resources renders small island states susceptible to serious problems related to water resources. Malta and Cyprus are small island states and share special physical disadvantages and vulnerabilities,one being the scarcity of natural water resources. Both islands are situated in the Mediterranean region where water resources are limited to cater for the increasing demand, and where drought incidents occur frequently. In Malta and Cyprus water resources are under intense pressure for competing users, mainly agriculture, domestic and tourism sectors, and remain a scarce resource due to an increased frequency and intensity of droughts. Increasing water demand in Malta had been addressed through adequate supply by non-conventional methods at the expense of environmental and financial matters. Pollution of aquifers is highly present in both islands; thus water quality is of concern to Malta and Cyprus. In recent years, in light of the accession of these small island states to the European Union, both countries are bound to comply with EU policies and Directives, mainly the Water Framework Directive, to ensure a good qualitative and qualitative status of water. This study will determine the problems related to water resources in Malta and Cyprus and will find out whether these islands adopt the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach to tackle their water problems. This study will further examine the similarities and differences in the adoption of the different factors that make up IWRM and will find the extent to which these small island states are undertaking actions towards achieving effective water management through Integrated Water Resources Management.