The Water Services Corporation is currently undertaking a series of EU funded projects, one if which is to provide an alternative water resource to private groundwater abstraction. WSC said that, in other words it will lessen the pressure on the underground aquifer due to its over-utilisation.

WSC said that at present the three main sewage treatment plants are discharging treated sewage into the sea. Since it is treated it causes no harm to the environment but is a waste of a potential resource.

The Corporations said that, therefore, three polishing plants are being built at these STPs which will further treat this treated sewage to very high quality standards. This "New Water" will be suitable and safe for various non-potable purposes. WSC said.that the three plants are expected to be ready by the start of summer 2016.

In Gozo the plant will be polishing all 4000 m3 per day of treated sewage effluent produced which will yield around 3200 m3 per day of highly polished reclaimed water ( the remainder will be reject and discharged to sea).

At the Ic-Cumnija plant it will also be treating all the 8000 m3 per day treated sewage effluent which will render about 6400 m3 per day.

In the south, out of the 55000 m3 per day of treated sewage effluent, WSC will be polishing 12000 m3 per day with an envisaged output of 9600 m3 per day.

This project has been co-financed through European Funds, Project Reference: ERDF 304. Priority Axis 4 – Climate Change and Resources Efficiency.

WSC said that during the winter rainy season when demand for new water is very low, this will be treated to an even higher standard and will be used for aquifer recharging. This, it said, is the WSC's two-pronged strategy to address the chronic over-extraction problems of groundwater sources.

One prong of this strategy is the actual provision of an alternative very good quality supply of water to farmers, while the other prong will try to reverse decades of damage to the aquifer.

WSC said the strategy has been formulated after years of testing and experimentation in various locations. The most recent is the test facility at Bulebel where experimental aquifer recharge is being carried out under strictly-controlled conditions.

This weekend the WSC is hosting an open weekend at its office in Luqa, to mark World Water Day, which is celebrated on the 22nd of March.

World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference.

It dates back to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development where an international observance for water was recommended.

The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating the 22nd of March 1993, as the first World Water Day. It has been held annually since then.

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