Significant investments are ongoing at the Reverse Osmosis Plant in Ħondoq and the Ta' Ċenċ Reservoirs in order to continue to improve water quality and supply resilience across Gozo, the government said Monday.

This was discussed during a visit to the sites by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli and Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri, accompanied by Water Services Corporation CEO Karl Cilia.

It was explained that the Reverse Osmosis Plant in Ħondoq marks a major step in ensuring that water quality in Gozo is harmonised with that of Malta. During the visit, the ministers were shown plans for further investment at Ħondoq, including the addition of a new desalination 'train' valued at approximately €2 million, to increase capacity and meet growing demand.

"Continuous economic development in Gozo means more water is needed to support households and businesses. To keep up with this demand, WSC is committed to expanding desalination capabilities.  More water production inevitably leads to more wastewater, which is why substantial upgrades to Gozo's sewage treatment plant are also planned. This major upgrade project is set at around €25 million and will ensure sustainable wastewater management while protecting the environment," said Minister Miriam Dalli.

Minister Clint Camilleri stated that, "These strategic investments in water infrastructure in Gozo ensure a sustainable and high-quality water supply for the island's residents. The upgrade of the Reverse Osmosis Plant in Ħondoq, along with the new system in the reservoirs at Ta' Ċenċ, will strengthen the resilience of our supply. Furthermore, the investment in the sewage treatment plant and the new New Water filtration plant will enhance the sustainable management of our water resources and support the agricultural sector in Gozo."

At Ta' Ċenċ, a new system has been implemented to connect and make the reservoirs interchangeable.

Karl Cilia, CEO of Water Services Corporation, said that, "Our investment strategy in Gozo reflects our commitment to providing safe, high-quality water to all Maltese islands. By increasing desalination capacity at Ħondoq and upgrading our reservoir network at Ta' Ċenċ, we are building resilience and flexibility into the system. At the same time, we recognise the importance of managing wastewater sustainably, which is why the planned upgrades to Gozo's sewage treatment plant are a crucial part of this integrated water cycle approach."

Investment in a new water polishing plant is also envisaged as part of WSC's broader vision for water reuse in Gozo. This advanced facility will treat effluent from the upgraded sewage treatment plant to even higher standards, producing high-quality polished water that can be safely reused for irrigation. As a result, the agricultural sector in Gozo will be better positioned to benefit from a more consistent and sustainable source of water.