Malta will be commissioning three waste water treatment plants within the next few years, which, when fully operational, will produce a reliable continuous supply of second class water all year round, the Minister for Resources and Infrastructure, Ninu Zammt, said yesterday.

He said the supply could be safely used for a variety of non-potable purposes by different sectors such as industry and agriculture.

Mr Zammit was speaking at a seminar organised by FM Environmental (Malta) Ltd on Sustainable Wastewater Management - Treatment At Source And Reuse at the Hilton Hotel, St Julians.

Mr Zammit said treated sewage effluent is still used very sparingly, notwithstanding the fact that it can easily replace other sources of non-potable water.

"Against this perspective, therefore, the treatment of sewage and the reuse of good-quality effluent by industry and agriculture could contribute to mitigate the irregularity of water availability in a semi-arid region like ours," he said.

Moreover, he added, treated sewage affluent, when polished to specific standards, will reduce pressure on our heavily-exploited aquifers by providing an alternative source of water that can meet the demand of those sectors that are still dependent on groundwater.

Mr Zammit said individual water users in industry and agriculture, and some of the public institutions, can improve their water-use efficiency and save on water by promoting better water-saving behaviour and, where possible, by introducing recycling treatment processes.