The impact of tourism on water and wastewater production with particular reference to the North and Sliema areas of Malta

Abstract

Water resource protection and management is essential to ensure that tourism remains sustainable. Sustainable tourism implies a balance between economic, environmental and social parameters without a compromise on the comfort of the tourists and the future availability of resources. This is particularly important with respect to water, which is the basis for the success of the agricultural, industrial, commercial, and tourism sectors. Thus, the development of tourism and water resource management is an interdependent relationship. The development of tourism has resulted in congested towns that have caused serious water supply and wastewater treatment problems. The water supply and demand issue prevalent in Malta with particular reference to tourism localities is more pronounced due to the lack of natural water resources in rain deficient Malta. It is therefore evident that water conservation and recycling measures are necessary in order to safeguard the future of the limited water resources in Malta. The water supply and demand issue is of particular importance during the summer season, when the tourist statistics reach their peak, causing the infrastructure to be under pressure to meet the high demands for both tourism and agriculture and also to satisfy other consumers of water. Water conservation can be achieved by the adoption of low water consuming devices whilst water recycling is the aim of wastewater treatment facilities. This study exammes the current local situation with respect to the use of such practices and the possible advantages derived from their adoption in the tourism industry. The economic feasibility of such solutions is essential in order to encourage their adoption. However, environmental issues and tourism satisfaction should not be ignored if these solutions are to ensure that tourism remains sustainable. This study therefore addresses the water supply and demand issue generated as a result of the development of tourism after establishing the seasonal and annual water consumption trends and the corresponding occupancy trends in the major tourism localities by a series of interviews and surveys. The chosen areas are namely the Sliema area and the North Area. The former includes Sliema, Pieta, Msida, Gzira, Ta'Xbiex, St Julian's Bay, Paceville, St George's Bay, St Andrew's and Pembroke. The North area includes St Paul's Bay (also Bugibba and Qawra), Mellieha, Ghadira and Cirkewwa. A holistic approach was adopted to analyse the results of these areas, which were initially separated in order to determine the concentration of hotels within these areas.