Israeli specialists to advise on water treatment plan - Mizzi

Water treatment specialists from Israel will be visiting Malta to advise on a feasible system to ensure the new polishing plant in Tal-Barkat complement seamlessly the infrastructure in place at the Sant’ Antnin recycling plant, minister for energy and water management Joe Mizzi said today. 

Mizzi, who was addressing the media at the Cumnija water polishing plant in Mellieha, said that the offer had been extended while he was visiting water treatment plans in Israel. 

He said that in 2013 the government had launched a plan to develop three water polishing plants to help meet demand for water for agricultural and commercial use. The plant in Mellieha is the first - and only one, at the moment - to be operating. 

The water treated at the plant was being polished to such a high grade that it was being referred to as 'new' water, the minister said. 

Mizzi said that there were three stages in the treatment process: extreme filtering, reverse osmosis and advanced UV oxidisation, making it entirely safe for use. 

"We have always insisted that the use of water should not be a financial burden to farmers," he said. "That is why the first 2,500 cubic metres of new water will be provided free for agricultural use, with an additional 2,500 cubic metres charged at 60c per cubic metre."

Mizzi said Malta will this year be applying for EU funds to help in the laying down of a pipe system to carry the polished water to all agricultural areas. 

Parliamentary secretary Clint Camilleri said that consecutive governments had implemented a number of projects to help provide water for agricultural use.

The present government had earmarked €22 million to build three treatment plants to provide polished water to farmers. 

The Mellieha plant reached farmers as far away as Bingemma. 

"Seven million cubic metres of water will be diverted to agricultural use, instead of being drained into the sea, once all three plants are up and running," he said. 

The plant in the south of Malta will be opened shortly, with the one in Gozo planned to start operating within the year.