A conceptual approach to managing floods in Malta : Case study of Birkirkara-Msida catchment area

Abstract

The Maltese Archipelago consists of a group of three islands with over 404,000 inhabitants (NSO, 2006), which equates to 1,275 persons per sq km, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world (UN, 2005). Local climate resembles more the semi-arid conditions of the Eastern Mediterranean rather than that of the more northern Mediterranean shores. Winter is practically the only rainy season which could be very unpredictable, and very dry ycurn ure often followed by prolonged heavy downpours resulting in extensive floodline. With a mean total average precipitation of 530mm per annum, Malta has a water availability of 40m /capita per year and thus amongst the lowest in the world (Angelakis, 2003 in Cardona, 2006). The only ground water resource, the Mean Sea Level (MSL) Aquifor, has dwindled over the past several decades both in quantity and quality becoming insufficient to meet the ever increasing demand. The Islands depend significantly on sea water desalination (40 percent), which costs four times as study as extending the same amount from the water table (NSO, 2008). Ironically, huge quantities of storm water runoff escapes unimpeded through streets and arterial roads resulting in heavy urban flooding before discharging into the sea. Malta has no national water policy framework in place yet. Several flood relief management studies have been carried out for possible implementation (last being, "Storm Water Master Plan (SWMP) for the Maltese Islands" part-financed by the European Union). In my view however, these studies fail to adequately address the more strategic importance of storm water in a situation where groundwater extraction should be reduced, and where the resulting shortfall is currently being unsustainably compensated by energy-intensive desalinated water. Logically therefore, this work advocates water conservation measures as part of wide flood relief plan which should reflect the current and projected economic limitations of the Island.