Leaks siphon off 6.7m cubic metres of water

Malta produced more than 31 million cubic metres of water last year, of which an estimated 6.7 million were lost in leakages.

According to National Statistics Office figures released yesterday, the monthly output varied from 2.2 million in February to three million in July and August.

The NSO issued the statistics to mark World Water Day which is celebrated by the UN each year on March 22. The theme chosen this year was Water And Culture.

The NSO said that well over half the total water output was produced by the three reverse osmosis plants situated in Pembroke, Cirkewwa and Ghar Lapsi.

Pumping stations were responsible for a production of 7.7 million cubic metres with another 6.3 million sourced in boreholes. Virtually no spring water was produced.

The bulk of water consumption in the year under review was billed to households - 69 per cent of the total.

The industrial sector received bills totalling 5.5 per cent of billed water consumption while the percentage for the agricultural, forestry and fishing sector stood at four per cent.