A press conference was held today by The Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo and The Coca Cola Foundation, who have finalised Phase One of a $1.24 million Alter Aqua project to tackle the Maltese islands’ water deficit and make better use of rainwater and the reuse of grey water, where they explained how the $1.24 million joint-project tackled water scarcity in Gozo.The Minister for Gozo said the Alter Aqua programme fits perfectly with the Government’s vision toward a sustainable island. “The programme has increased trust from private investors and has contributed to Gozo securing additional funds for other sustainability projects. The Ministry for Gozo, in this regard, has implemented and shall continue with the implementation of activities aimed at increasing the island’s rainwater harvesting potential through the cleaning of valleys and the reinstatement of reservoirs.”

“An interesting characteristic of this programme is that it has achieved a synergy among public, private, stakeholders and an international organisation, to successfully conclude a significant number of tangible demonstration projects closely linked with the society through applications and educational programme in schools and further training for technicians. This has created multiple benefits for students, the community and the environment,” emphasised Prof. Scoullos, the Chairman of the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean.

During Phase One, the Coca-Cola Foundation made available $800,000 and partnered with the Ministry for Gozo, which co-funded a further $440,000. During this phase, the programme mainly focused on three pillars of action: Infrastructural works for the application of non conventional water resources (NCWR) technologies; education of the young generation on NCWR; and sustainable water use, capacity building, training and awareness-raising.

Alter Aqua is a multi-stakeholder, two-phase programme which has brought together the Ministry for Gozo and the Eco-Gozo Project, the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean, the Coca-Cola Foundation and the General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd., the local bottling partner of all brands of The Coca-Cola Company in Malta.

The programme’s activities are implemented in collaboration with Nature Trust Malta, the Ekoskola Programme and the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development.

In all, 4 rainwater harvesting systems were installed in schools in Kercem, Sannat, Zebbug and Gharb; 6 rainwater harvesting systems were reinstated in schools in Sannat, Xaghra, San Lawrenz and the Gozo Experimental Farm, a grey water reuse system was installed at the Gozo Football Stadium and a storm water management system was applied in Ramla Valley, where rubble walls were constructed along the valley for storm water retention for increased rainwater capacity for irrigation purposes for agriculture and aquifer recharge

“With limited freshwater resources, further depleted as a result of climate change, Malta suffers from water scarcity and heavily depends on desalination to tackle its water deficit,” says Maria Micallef, Chief Operations Officer at The General Soft Drinks. “In this context, the mobilisation of Non-Conventional Water Resources (NCWR), such as rainwater harvesting and reuse of grey water, aimed at increasing water availability in a sustainable, cost-effective way and promoting a new water culture, is crucial at both local and national level.”

Non-Conventional Water Resources are complementary water supplies, such as rainwater and stormwater which can be harvested, treated waste water and desalinated water.

It was explained that “The Alter Aqua Programme uses a holistic approach to pursue its main aim to advance the utilisation of NCWR in Malta, to secure water availability and facilitate sustainable development. Furthermore, the Alter Aqua programme supports Eco-Gozo, the Local Sustainable Development Strategy for the Island of Gozo to become an eco-island, and demonstrates new NCWR technologies.”

During this phase, the programme mainly focused on three pillars of action: Infrastructural works for the application of NCWR technologies; education of the young generation on the importance of responsible and sustainable water use in schools; technician and local authority capacity building and training; and general public awareness-raising.

Approximately 3,200 students were educated about sustainable water management and consumption, 255 teachers were trained and a STENCIL Award was given to the school programme for the best science-related innovative education material in Malta. Furthermore, 48 technicians were trained, 18 stakeholders participated in the capacity-building workshops, while it is estimated that there have been a total of 30,000 beneficiaries from the NCWR systems and awareness-raising communications.

“The Alter Aqua programme in Gozo has created a best case practice to be replicated in other water scarce communities in Malta and the wider Mediterranean region. In this sense, the Alter Aqua partners proudly presented the project’s achievements,” said Anthony Zammit, Director of EcoGozo Regional Development at the Ministry for Gozo, referring to the Ministry’s sustainable vision for Gozo, as well as Alter Aqua’s role in that.

Ms. Katerina Kypreou, Corporate Communication Supervisor, Coca-Cola Greece, Cyprus, Malta stated “Sustainability is at the heart of the Coca-Cola story and we work together with our bottling partners, such as General Soft Drinks, to build more sustainable communities, because we know our business can only be as healthy, vibrant and resilient as the communities we proudly serve.

“At Coca-Cola, water constitutes one of our top 3 sustainability priorities as it is the biggest part of our supply chain, the main ingredient in all of our beverages and essential to our manufacturing processes. That is why we continue to support water stewardship programs, such as Alter Aqua, that increase water availability and make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of the people of Malta.”

Moreover, the Alter Aqua interactive online game was launched, a special application designed for children as well as adults to audit water consumption and promote the use of NCWR at domestic level and water saving in everyday life.

Alter Aqua’s further phase will be announced during the National Consultation on NCWR Management, in the framework of the National Water Management Plan for the Maltese Islands to take place tomorrow, May 6, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Vallettta.

Photographs shows the work that took place at Ramla Valley

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