Aspects in artificial groundwater recharge using treated sewage effluent with special reference to the mean sea level aquifer in Malta

Abstract

Water lies at the heart of the interaction between development and the environment. The destiny of natural waters lies in man's hands. The natural ecosystem must be harmonised in such a way as to ensure that for the future, two of the greatest disasters which can aITect man's life, that is, thirst and water-associated diseases, are minimised. Wastewater reuse as a form of water supply has been practised in arid areas for some time now. Malta, in particular, has experienced for these last 13 years, the benefits resulting from the use of treated sewage aflluent in agriculture and also in industry. Wastewater reuse is of major interest, since it is a complementary or additional resource which is independent of the climactic conditions. The rational use of Water in Malta is of vital importance to Malta's economy, especially when one considers the large expense incurred in order to procure water by desalination processes. The following text will consider sewage reuse as a cost-effective alternative water resource in a National Integrated water resource management context. The existing water sources, constraints, and the reuse potential treated sewage with particular attention to aquifer replenishment and rehabilitation will be discussed.