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Malta’s Water Scarcity Challenges: Past, Present, and Future Mitigation Strategies for Sustainable Water Supplies

Author

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  • Lindsey Hartfiel

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA)

  • Michelle Soupir

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA)

  • Rameshwar S. Kanwar

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA)

Abstract

The small Mediterranean country of Malta, an island located between Italy and North Africa, has been facing and will continue to face water stress and scarcity in the coming years, receiving the designation as the most water stressed country in Europe. In the past, Malta’s water challenges were centered around water quantity concerns, but in more recent years, the severity of their water stress has been strengthened by the deterioration of the groundwater quality and quantity. Through the over-extraction of their groundwater, saltwater intrusion has steadily occurred into their freshwater aquifer systems, worsening their groundwater quality for both domestic and agricultural purposes. The objective of this paper is to conduct an extensive review on the history of Malta’s water problems and how Malta is working to combat its water scarcity concerns. Additionally, this paper investigates the impact of Malta’s water scarcity on its food and energy security challenges. Our study concludes that while Malta has obstacles to overcome in their pursuit of water security and sustainable development, the future remains hopeful, with several alternatives still available. Some of the alternatives explored in this review include wastewater reuse, increased awareness, use of alternative energy sources, rainwater harvesting, and implementation of nation-wide strategic water policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lindsey Hartfiel & Michelle Soupir & Rameshwar S. Kanwar, 2020. "Malta’s Water Scarcity Challenges: Past, Present, and Future Mitigation Strategies for Sustainable Water Supplies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:23:p:9835-:d:450541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vincenzo Franzitta & Domenico Curto & Daniele Milone & Davide Rao, 2016. "Assessment of Renewable Sources for the Energy Consumption in Malta in the Mediterranean Sea," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-17, December.
    2. D’Agostino, D. & Borg, M. & Hallett, S.H. & Sakrabani, R.S. & Thompson, A. & Papadimitriou, L. & Knox, J.W., 2020. "Multi-stakeholder analysis to improve agricultural water management policy and practice in Malta," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang Wei & Boyang Sun, 2021. "Optimizing Water Use Structures in Resource-Based Water-Deficient Regions Using Water Resources Input–Output Analysis: A Case Study in Hebei Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Jue Wang & Keyi Ju & Xiaozhuo Wei, 2022. "Where Will ‘Water-Energy-Food’ Research Go Next?—Visualisation Review and Prospect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-19, June.
    3. Dina Pereira & Joao Carlos Correia Leitao & Pedro Dinis Gaspar & Cristina Fael & Isabel Falorca & Wael Khairy & Nadya Wahid & Hicham El Yousfi & Bassou Bouazzama & Jan Siering & Harald Hansmann & Jele, 2023. "Exploring Irrigation and Water Supply Technologies for Smallholder Farmers in the Mediterranean Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-25, April.

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