Wastewater re-use : including a special study for an integrated wastes re-use scheme for the island of Malta

Abstract

Malta, being a small, densely populated island suffers from a severe water shortage problem. Its main source of water supply, the Mean Sea Level Aquifer, has long ago reached its maximum safe yield and has been overpumped for some years, with consequent deterioration of water quality. Another problem is related to the location of suitable tips for refuse disposal which are becoming increasingly hard to find. Accordingly the Government of Malta is seriously considering introducing an integrated wastes recycling scheme to reclaim water both for irrigation and for potable supply, while composting refuse together with sewage sludges. It is expected that such a scheme will help solve the water shortage problem and give a boost to the agricultural development of the island, as well as reducing pollution on land and at sea.