1. Emmanuel Soyeux

2. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
Reuse, why?
Setting the scene in Malta
What’s next?

3. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
Reuse, why?
Setting the scene in Malta
What’s next?

4. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
Annual average monthly blue water scarcity (1996–2005)
Number of months per year in which “blue water” scarcity exceeds 1.0 (1996–2005)
Source: Mekonnen and Hoekstra Sci. Adv. 2016; 2 : e February 2016

5. A deep shift for the Water Industry

6. A deep shift for the Water Industry
From To
Removing waste
Service operator
Waste manager
Downstream and costly
Recycle waste in the economy
Resource producer
Business developers
Centre of the industrial processes and profitable ―> strategic partner

7. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
Reuse, why?
Setting the scene in Malta
What’s next?

8. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
Drinking Water: Reverse osmosis
“River of Moses” (Pembroke Water Treatment Plant) flows since 1993 – 54,000 m3/day
Virkewwa – 18,000 m3/day
Ghar Lapsi – 24,000 m3/day
Waste Water Treatment Plant : Sant Antnin, Gozo and Mellieha

9. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
State of Water Resources in Malta - January 16, 2015
Malta one of the ten poorest countries globally in terms water of resources per inhabitant (with Bahrain, Jordon, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen).
as being the ten poorest countries.
Surrounded by seawater, a small catchment area, a semi-arid climate and a high population density, Malta is well below the 1,000 m3 threshold of water per inhabitant commonly considered to be a minimum to sustain life and ensure agricultural production in countries with climates that require irrigation for agriculture.
Despite this, Malta’s groundwater continues to be pumped at a rate well above the natural recharge rate resulting in the island’s aquifers slowly being invaded by seawater, increasing the salinity of the water available.

10. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
MWA Viewpoint on Wastewater Reuse - July 13, 2011
Sewage must be considered a resource: creating markets for treated sewage effluent
The capital investment for treating sewage prior to discharge has been made. However, the water situation existing in Malta requires that the treated effluent is not disposed of at sea but utilised.
This can only be achieved once a realistic price is given to water coming from groundwater reserves.
The locations of water intensive sectors, which could be potential markets for the reuse of TSE, essentially agriculture and industry, must be identified and mapped so as to obtain a ‘reuse map’.
Dual distribution piping systems to areas which have a high potential for reuse should be investigated.
Dual tariff structures must be utilised, with reclaimed water being supplied at a lower cost than drinking water (Singapore “Newater” system).

11. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
MWA Viewpoint on Wastewater Reuse July 13, 2011
Controlling the quality and quantity of discharges to the sewerage network
Protect sewerage infrastructure as well as the quality of the reclaimed water with updated and subsequently enforced regulations (discharges to sewers of rainfall runoff, animal wastes and trade effluents)
The integrity of the sewerage network must be maintained, particularly with respect to seawater intrusion.

12. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
MWA Viewpoint on Wastewater Reuse July 13, 2011
Practicing Integrated Water Resource Management
A holistic approach with defined goals of the Water Services Corporation (WSC), must be developed (including alternative sources of water which would reflect the real costs, for sustainable development.
The reuse from the projected stormwater network needs to be seen in conjunction with the reuse potential
The new projected stormwater network and its management, in conjunction with the sewerage networkneed to be brought into the picture in the context of integrated water management.
Review of the Sewerage Master Plan
The Sewerage Master Plan (1992) envisaged a review after the completion of the first phase which included the priority areas, namely the under-capacity sewers, corporatisation, and the building of treatment plants. This review is overdue.
An integral water policy framework must be considered to effectively deliver the proposals made in a number of recent policy documents, including the Water Policy, the Water Catchment Management Plan, the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and National Strategy for Sustainable Development.

13. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
MWA Viewpoint on Wastewater Reuse July 13, 2011
Pricing of treated sewage effluent and cost recovery
To date, discharges into the sewerage system have been paid out of general taxation. This has led to a laissez-faire attitude by the general population and no significant wastewater recycling initiatives. Moreover, the cost of wastewater collection and treatment have become more significant of late with the 3 municipal sewage treatment plants coming online in the last 3 years. Government should logically consider the introduction of a sewage discharge tariff which covers the cost of sewage collection and treatment, also in line with Malta’s obligations with regard to the EU Water Framework Directive..
The cost-recovery tariff of stormwater management, collection and treatment need addressing along similar lines.

14. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
MWA Viewpoint on Wastewater Reuse July 13, 2011
Public perception, awareness and training
Challenging the public’s perception that reclaimed water is inherently of an inferior quality to other sources of water must be a priority for their increased use. This must be carried out by convincing users (using local and foreign research and experience) that the use of reclaimed water is suitable and ultimately safe for its intended use. The Malta Water Association believes that this is best achieved through demonstration projects involving water suppliers, farmers and consumers.
Given the local expertise in the areas of desalination, water leakage reduction, wastewater treatment and other areas of water science, together with the close proximity of infrastructure to carry out research, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), Malta Council for Science & Technology (MCST) , University and Water Services Corporation should encourage research and training opportunities to ensure a suitable local knowledge pool which will promote innovation in this area.

15. Sustainable Water Reuse for Cities in the Mediterranean Area
Reuse, why?
Setting the scene in Malta
What’s next?
Demonstration projects?
Carry out research?

16. Demonstration project - Irrilat’eau - Boosting recycled water use for vine irrigation
Comparison of 4 different water qualities on two different parcels of vines (Viognier / Carignan) with different soils (clay & sand / Calcareous)
Drinking water
Wastewater after filtration – UV disinfection – chlorine (pilot-plant)
Wastewater after filtration – chlorine (pilot-plant)
Surface water
Evaluate the effect of the use of treated wastewater on the growth and biochemical composition of grapes and wine

17. Seawater Reverse Osmosis Plant
1st challenge : secure process robustness => seawater pre-treatment to prevent membrane fouling
2nd challenge : keep improving the power efficiency
Integration of energy recovery devices – now a well-controlled engineering practice
New RO modules from membrane suppliers (higher permeablity) => require development and optimisation of RO system configurations
Veolia Desalination Testing Platform (Middle East)
Dedicated area: 3,000 m² located within an industrial area Dedicated team of 8 people (+ Veolia expertise and network)
Modular pilot units
Semi-industrial scale (up to 120m3/h feed flow)

18. Emmanuel Soyeux