I must congratulate the Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs for taking the initiative to follow up the borehole registration exercise with a call for registrations of water bowsers (February 23). I view this as a very positive action as it may signal the start of the implementation of concrete and effective measures that may reduce the over-extraction rate of our groundwater reserves to a more sustainable level.

It is a known fact that illegal extraction of groundwater exceeds the amount of water extracted by the Water Services Corporation for the potable water supply. If the present situation were to prevail any longer, our precious groundwater resources will be depleted within our own lifetimes.

However, curbing on the extraction of groundwater may not necessarily be bad news for the owners of water bowsers. Malta will soon be producing some 60,000 cubic metres of treated sewage effluent every day. This water is unfortunately available in areas where the demand for second-class water is limited. This presents an opportunity for both the bowser-owners and for Malta - switching from the transportation of a unsustainable source of water (groundwater) to a sustainable source (treated effluent). One also hopes that the bowsers be upgraded to emit less noxious emissions.

I also welcome the news that water and electricity meters across the islands will be replaced by "smart" devices, and that the 250,000 odd meters will be in place by the end of 2012 (February 5). Apart from providing for more accurate and timely issue of bills, these meters will give consumers a better understanding and control of their water consumption. Education is key to saving water (and electricity). The meters will also assist in the reduction of unaccounted-for losses to a minimum.

Allow me to add value to this project by putting forward a suggestion. Now that some 250,000 functioning water meters will be rendered obsolete, wouldn't it make sense to re-use and install some of these meters (preferably the larger non-residential ones) on the 10,000 odd registered boreholes? In this way, the Malta Resources Authority can get a record of groundwater extraction rates which can then be used in the formulation of appropriate policies on water management.

In conclusion, I appeal to the government to publish the long-awaited Malta water policy document for consultation, so that the suggestions I have just put forward and others that may be forthcoming from the public may be considered within a holistic policy framework and not in isolation.