Nine primary and secondary schools will be launching different water conservation projects, from rainwater harvesting systems for school garden irrigation, to water fountains and water saving campaigns for students, as part of this year’s LIFE School Projects initiative by the Energy and Water Agency.

Minister for the Environment, Energy and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli and Energy and Water Agency chief executive officer Manuel Sapiano launched the sixth call of the LIFE School Projects initiative during an educational activity for students from the participating schools, at Ghajn, the water conservation centre in Rabat.

Minister Miriam Dalli commended the students for their commitment to sustainable practices in their schools. “Water is one of our most precious natural resources, especially for communities in small island states, such as Malta. The Government is implementing several actions to promote water conservation, ranging from measures for the protection and regeneration of groundwater sources to increased efficiency in reverse osmosis plants, increased production of New Water for agriculture and support schemes to encourage households and businesses to invest in water saving technologies,” the Minister said.

“Through the projects being launched today, students are showing that we can all do our bit for water conservation. Let’s continue working together, with many similar green initiatives in our communities, for a more sustainable future,” Miriam Dalli added.

The students presented the projects they proposed for their schools. They include irrigation systems for school gardens, switching from concussive taps to self-closing water taps, new plumbing to reduce leaks and water consumption, the installation of water pumps to utilise reservoirs for irrigation and other similar purposes and the retrofitting of water saving systems to taps. Other schools proposed educational campaigns related to water conservation, the benefits of drinking water for healthier lifestyles, and the importance of using refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste.

Manuel Sapiano praised the contribution of these schools and the launch of their innovative projects. He encouraged more schools to adopt similar projects. “The conservation of water and energy practices should be integrated in our educational systems. It is encouraging to see young students already eager to take on sustainable practices,” he said.

This year’s nine participating schools are St Patrick’s Salesian School Sliema, St Thomas More Fgura A, St Thomas More Tarxien Primary School, Maria Regina College Qawra Primary, San Ġorġ Preca College Valletta Primary, Gozo College Patri Mattew Sultana Xagħra Primary, Gozo College Mons Giov. Andrea Vella Żebbuġ Primary, St Augustine College Pietà, and Sacred Heart, Sliema.

This event also marked the conclusion of last year’s LIFE School Projects, which included the participation of St Nicholas College Rabat Primary, San Ġorġ Preca College Valletta Primary, San Ġorġ Preca College Ħamrun Secondary and St Theresa’s College Middle School.

LIFE School Projects forms part of LIFE Integrated Project, which supports the implementation of Malta’s River Basin Management Plan through the undertaking of several measures aimed at optimising the use of water and energy resources on the Maltese Islands.  Action C.4 under this project focuses on educational activities promoting the conservation of water and energy resources.

For more information, visit energywateragency.gov.mt or follow the Sostenibilità and EWA socials.