To recharge aquifers, first use rainwater

The item Refilling Aquifers With Treated Water (October 8) made interesting reading. The project for recharging our aquifers should continue unabatedly. The cost of treating effluent water is, however, at the moment prohibitive. The idea to use it for irrigation is simply not on. Both farmers and customers are extremely wary even of the mention of it. There is, however, a simpler way of arriving at the recharge service not yet tried. Many valleys have now been cleaned of the material discarded over the years. This exercise should be an ongoing one every summer.

What should be undertaken is to find a location or locations along the length of the valley at apposite intervals. Dig huge, deep boreholes some 60 centimetres wide and let the water feed the aquifer. This will prevent any flooding at the end of the mouth of the valley.

Qormi flooding would be a thing of the past. This is within our capability and comparatively cheap. Other similar areas should also be considered. Apparently funds are available through Medivat. After all we have enough rainfall if we care to save most of it.