11-14

Water Scarcity… The Solution?

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Shaun Miguel Darmanin  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

Water-scarcity has become a worldwide problem and many countries struggle to find water, including Malta. In Malta, 68% of water comes from groundwater, while the rest comes from seawater-desalination and this is costing four times more than underground water. In this island there are more than 8000 private boreholes and the majority were illegally drilled. It is estimated that about 21,000 liters of water are extracted per minute from these boreholes. In 2011, the government closed all household boreholes and is installing meters on agricultural and commercial boreholes. All this is being done with a grant of €2 million by the EU. Once installed the ministry responsible will monitor water extraction for one year and afterwards water quotas will be established for farmers. Is this the solution? Well, let’s hope it is, because as Benjamin Franklin once said “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water!”



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Losing our wheels

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Ryan Vella  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

This wind-pump lost its wheel during the last winter hurricane which hit our island. Situated in a private field along the road from Rabat to Dingli it is still needed today for pumping water using an alternative energy source for agricultural use. After contacting the Rabat Local Council, I was informed that funds were never allotted for the repair of such structures. However, the Ministry for Gozo has made a presentation to 18 people who, during 2009, have carried out restoration works on wind powered water pumps on their land. This work was related to a scheme launched by the same Ministry as an initiative for the eco-Gozo vision in May 2009. The aid granted represents 75% of the costs associated with the purchase of equipment and work connected with the rehabilitation of the machinery and structure. So why have the funds not been extended to our island too?



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