APS Bank held its annual seminar, the subject of which – discussed in a packed hall at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Balzan – was “Safeguarding Water Resources in the Maltese Islands”.

After an introduction by APS Bank chairman E.P. Delia, the audience was given first hand information about the EU Water Directive by Dr Philippe Quevauviller from the DG (Environment) Office of the EU. In a detailed presentation, Dr Quevauviller explained to the audience the implications that the directive could have on agriculture, especially in Malta.

The next speaker came from the Land and Water Division of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Dr Jean Marc Fauré is not new to Malta, having already participated in another APS Bank seminar and more recently in an FAO TCP Project on water with the Malta Resources Authority (MRA). A report on the water resources review of Malta was launched by Dr Fauré during the seminar.

Local “water” authorities were also well represented at the seminar. The first to take the floor was Dr John Mangion, director (Water) of the MRA, with his presentation entitled “Water Reform in Malta – Where to?” He outlined past and present developments in securing water in Malta and gave the MRA’s views on what to expect in the near future.

As one would expect, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) was also actively present at the seminar. Ramona Scerri and Sarah Debono from Mepa’s Environment Directorate explained in detail the implementation of the Water Framework Directive for surface water, a subject very much discussed in view of the ever-decreasing water resources in the Maltese Islands.

The Water Services Corporation also made its contribution, through Paula Grech Bonnici, manager of the corporation’s laboratory. From what she said, it was easy to appreciate what it means for the corporation to safeguard our daily supplies and, above all, to do its utmost to guarantee the quality of water.

Farmers and animal breeders are also heavy consumers of water. Their views were clearly given by Dr Joe Borg, consultant with APS Consult Ltd, who spoke about past water sources and how these have dwindled, if not completely dried up.

A heated discussion brought the seminar to an end.