A recently-published EU survey suggests the Maltese are not sufficiently aware about just how scarce one of the most vital resources – fresh water – is in Malta.

The survey on the attitude of Europeans towards water-related issues does show that 74% of Maltese believe water quality issues to be a serious problem, compared to 68% of Europeans. But while describing something as serious is easy – and subjective – agreeing with measures to address it is less so, particularly if it affects one’s own wallet.

The survey also asked people whether they agree with the price of water reflecting the environmental impact of its use. But just 53% of the Maltese agreed with this move, the third lowest proportion in the EU.

The least concerned about water quality are the Finns, for instance, but since their country has more lakes than villages and is the least densely populated country within the EU, they can probably afford to be more complacent.

Malta, on the other hand, is a very densely populated archipelago with a semi-arid climate, which relies on energy-intensive desalination for 55% of its fresh water needs. As a result, the amount of fresh water available per person is one of the lowest in the world, along the lines of countries which are mostly desert.

One must also point out that reverse osmosis not only makes up for a lack of groundwater, it also makes up for the fact that most of Malta’s groundwater is actually not fit for drinking unless it is diluted. Years of use and misuse of fertilisers, among other factors, have increased groundwater nitrate levels to the extent that 90% of Malta’s groundwater bodies exceed EU limits.

A strategy has been launched recently, but even if it is successful, it will be years – if not decades – before past damage is undone.

But the survey also shows the proportion of those concerned about chemical pollution and about agricultural chemicals in Malta is the second-lowest in the EU, although concern is increasing.

Despite the statistics, the Maltese are also among the most optimistic about their water quality, being the third most likely to perceive groundwater quality to be improving and the third least likely to believe it to be getting worse.

While Malta increasingly relies on its reverse osmosis plants and continues to extract groundwater beyond sustainable levels, a number of other countries have resorted to water restrictions.

In parts of Australia, for instance, the lawns which adorn many Maltese homes and roundabouts cannot be watered, and only buckets and watering cans can be used to water gardens – and only in specific times. Even car washing may be prohibited, with the exception of windows, mirrors and lights for safety reasons.

Singapore, a country of over five million people with a land area just twice that of Malta, takes another path to address water supply problems: Sewage treatment. Treated sewage water currently makes up a third of its supply of water, even for drinking purposes. Malta is looking at the possibility of reusing treated sewage effluent, but using it for first-class purposes is ruled out so far.

Malta may not necessarily have to emulate Australia or Singapore, but the two countries provide ready examples of just how crucial water is as a resource. In the meantime, any significant efforts to reduce Malta’s reliance on groundwater and desalination remain elusive, while the sprinklers spraying our roundabout lawns suggest the problem is minimal at best.