Assessing the impact of the construction industry on water resources in Malta

Abstract

Literature on the impact of the construction industry on water resources m Malta indicates that relatively few investigations have been conducted in this regard. To date, there is no accurate data available as to the demand for water from the industry. The study has been based on field observations and data collection from seven batching plants distributed around the Maltese Islands. The input, process and output of water have been considered with the aim of establishing the extent of the industry's dependence on water whilst also highlighting the processes which should be targeted for better water efficiency. It was found that the national water demand by the industry is within the region of 270,0001113 of water, 60% to 80% of which is possibly being satisfied by water abstraction from the aquifer. Keeping in mind that this equates to only 1 % of the available freshwater resources, there will be marginal water savings if efforts are undertaken to maximise the efficiency of these operators. This study also highlights the lack of appreciation of the value of water. Assuming full cost recovery, the cost of water barely reaches 1 % of the total sales price of concrete. Hence, for any tangible water savings, there would be the need for large infrastructural costs with relatively long payback periods. This study owes its particularity to the detailed study of batching plants in the Maltese Islands, for which limited literature is available. It is hoped that the results of this research will benefit all interested parties for a better environment based on sustainability.