During a press conference next to the Malta Resources Authority, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party Secretary General Ralph Cassar said that electoral campaigns are supposed to focus on policy issues and proposals. He said, “AD is continuously making proposals on various issues, not least the sustainable management of natural resources.

“Ground water is one of the scarce and precious resources which we must protect. In view of challenges like climate change and the complete lack of management of this resource, AD is making serious proposals so that this resource is used in a sustainable manner.”

“Politicians are supposed to protect public goods, but in the case of water a laissez-faire attitude prevails,” Ralph Cassar commented, “while the basic and necessary amount of water should be accessible, with subsidies for basic use, waste and excessive use should be penalised. AD in parliament will make sure that there is a clear policy direction on this issue. We are also proposing that resources, environmental protection and planning are regulated by one authority.”

“In parliament AD will give priority to controlling the theft of ground water through the registered and unregistered boreholes.” This was stated by Carmel Cacopardo AD Deputy Chairperson and spokesman on Sustainable Development and Home Affairs.

“AD,” added Cacopardo, “considers ground water as being public property which should be protected and used wisely. It is not only necessary to put in place controls on the quantity of ground water extracted but also on the deteriorating quality of the said water. We should remember that Malta should be in line with the provisions of the Water Framework Directive of the EU which spells out the protection required. Due to lack of sufficient commitment on then part of government and the Malta Resources Authority, to date we still have a long way to attain EU targets.”

Cacopardo added that a holistic view on water resources is essential. “It does not make sense to continue dumping treated sewage effluent into the sea. This water has a multitude of uses and it is about time that rather than being considered as waste it shoukd be considered as a resource which with additional investment could be put to use in such areas as agriculture.”

He concluded by stating that it “is necessary to give more attention and importance to rainwater harvesting relative to both streets and houses. Even this water coukd be used instead to being dunmped into the sea as is happening to the larger part of the water so collected.”

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