Living on a water scarce country is no simple feat for Malta. For a more sustainable freshwater supply availability collective action from all inhabitants is necessary. On the occasion of the World Water Day, which is celebrated tomorrow, the 22nd of March, Nature Trust Malta unites with other entities and organisations to highlight the importance of responsible use of water and promotes rain water harvesting as examples of good practices.
Nature Trust Malta has for the past three years been active in this regards through the Alter Aqua project where EkoSkola teachers in collaboration with the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), and Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean developed an educational resource pack aimed at introducing water sustainability through various subjects across the curriculum adapted for different age groups.
These educational resource packs are given for free to all educators interested in receiving training in this regards. Hands on sessions on water management using especially made resources, tailor-made for the local situation, based on research and historic data have been and are still provided to all schools in Gozo through school visits, whilst in Malta these are available at Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park and Sustainable Development Centre on request.
Through these hands on sessions which can be adapted to learners from 3 years upwards with no age limit, learners have the opportunity to learn more about rainwater harvesting systems, greywater systems, wastewater treatment plants, reverse osmosis plants, water reservoirs and the bell shaped well, permeability of materials and the water cycle.
Posters with further information are also given to all learners to promote further water saving techniques in their homes.
Alter Aqua started off in 2013 combining the resources of the Ministry for Gozo and the ecoGozo Project, the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med), The Coca-Cola Foundation, the General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd.
The Coca-Cola Foundation with the Ministry of Gozo have provided grants to fund the project.
At present AlterAqua is also collaborating with the Ministry for Energy and Health.
March 21, 2015 (Gozo News)
