Technicians and professionals working within the construction industry in Gozo, as well as members of Local Councils and other stakeholders are invited to take part in workshops on water management being held in Gozo.

These workshops are being organised by the Ministry for Gozo through the Alter Aqua Programme, on Wednesday, the 19th of September 2012. Those invited include amongst others technical workers, plumbers, architects, civil engineers and contractors.

The Alter Aqua project involves the use of new technologies that increase rainwater harvesting, the provision of traning to technicians and specialised personnel regarding a more efficient use of water resources and rainwater storage, together with an educational programme for schools focusing on water as a resource.

This project is being co-financed by the Coca-Cola International Foundation and is being implemented by the Ministry for Gozo and the Global Water Partnership Mediterranean (GWP-Med) as part of the eco-Gozo strategy.

The training workshops’ main scope is to serve as an initial in-depth training for all those in the industry, on the application of modern rainwater and storm water harvesting and grey water reuse systems and materials, and enhance their competence to install, retrofit and repair such systems whilst sharing their expertise at local level.

The morning workshop will be hosting Mayors, Councillors and Executive Secretaries from Gozitan Local Councils and other stakeholders. It will include an overview of the water management in the island of Gozo – its current situation, challenges and opportunities; and the NCWR management in the Mediterranean.

The afternoon workshop addresses technicians and professionals in the construction industry in Gozo. It will introduce new innovative materials and methods, presenting the pros and cons for each method and how to choose the appropriate system and material and tips for installations.

The training includes an onsite-visit to a school in Gozo where an innovative rainwater harvesting system is being installed, in the framework of the Alter Aqua Programme, in order to experience the actual application of such a system which is being installed for the first time in Malta.

International experts with long experience in similar applications in Mediterranean countries will deliver training related with rainwater harvesting and grey water reuse systems.

The Ministry for Gozo said that “this is just one of the initiatives related with water conservation within the eco-Gozo project. Other endeavours include an ongoing project that aim to clean valleys and dams across the island. During the past two years, five valleys were cleaned and water catchment areas and dams within them were also restored. This initiative increased rainwater harvesting potential by 43 million litres.

“A number of old reservoirs were restored, whilst new ones were built at Villa Rundle, Gnien it-Tliet Gholjiet, and another at the Government Farm as part of the setting up of the Centre for Innovation in Rural Sciences and Environmental Management. Another old reservoir in the farm was restored while other reservoirs in state schools in Gozo are being restored or built.”

“A number of Local Councils and Non Governmental Organisations built other water reservoirs through schemes launched to substantiate projects in conformity with the first EcoGozo Action Plan 2010 – 2012. Another initiative relates to the use of second class water from the Waste Water Treatment Plant.,” the Ministry said. “In fact, the distributing system has already been installed as part of the extensive Mgarr Road project.”

Earlier this year, a seminar for educators in Gozo was also held as part of the Alter Aqua Programme. Information and relative printed material was disseminated to those who attended who were mainly teachers from all schools in Gozo.

The information given was based on the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) aimed at developing ‘a new water ethic’ in line with sustainability. Those teachers who attended will be using this material to promote these principle amongst primary and secondary school students within the 8 – 13 years bracket. This material is accessible through the website http://www.medies.net/staticpages.asp?aID=645&overRideCategory=1.

These workshops will be held at the Boys’ Secondary School in Europe Street, Victoria. Participation is free for all participants, however registration prior to the meeting is required by September 14th 2012 through email: secretariat@gwpmed.org.

Further information can be obtained through email: ecogozo@gov.mt or by phoning 22156310.

Permalink: Training for Gozitan workers within the construction industry