Title: Living with Water Scarcity: Malta’s Freshwater Resources
Date: Wednesday 22 January 2025
Time: 12:00-14:00
Venue: Campus Hub, Block O, Room 316, CHBO-316
Speaker: Dr Julian Mamo
Register online

The Sustainability Champions Activity for January 2025 will be in the form of a lecture/presentation by Dr Julian Mamo, a member of staff at the Institute of Earth Systems.

The title of the presentation is Living with Water Scarcity – Malta’s Freshwater Resources. The event is open to anyone who is interested in Sustainability matters.

Throughout Malta’s history, its inhabitants have adapted to living with scarce freshwater resources by developing innovative methods to use water efficiently, harvest limited rainfall, and access our largest freshwater resource - groundwater. As the population grew and natural freshwater reserves became increasingly strained, further innovation and adaptation were essential. Malta's largest groundwater system, the mean sea-level aquifer, is surrounded by seawater both laterally at the coasts and beneath the freshwater lens, which floats on seawater. This system exists in a delicate balance between recharge and abstraction, making it highly vulnerable to over-abstraction and salinisation. While some traditional practices remain in use, others must be rediscovered. The University, comparable in size and population to a small Maltese village, also faces significant water demands. This presentation will examine Malta's natural freshwater resources and explore how resourcefulness has been key to addressing water scarcity challenges over time.