The Dolmen Resort Hotel has invested in the latest state-of-the-art technology in sea water reverse osmosis, the largest single unit yet installed in a local hotel.

Rated at 245 m3 per day, the unit's installation fells under the hotel's re-structuring and re-furbishing programme, which began in early 2004. The plant incorporates an energy recovery turbine, making it environment friendly. The Dolmen Resort is an eco-certified hotel, where an audit is carried out every six months.

Resort general manager Alex Pace said the resort had enjoyed a successful year with above average occupancy levels. He emphasised the resort's commitment to provide its guests with the best quality potable water, even satisfying the hotel's total water demand.

The new generation plant employs the latest technology in high press pumping with an energy recovery of 55 per cent. It produces very high quality water, containing less than 200 ppm as TDS, much lower than the WHO standard of 500 ppm.

Oliver Hentschel, head of department, potable water, Prominent GmbH, described this new technology as an excellent means to high quality water, clearly the way forward for hotels to secure greater energy savings, lower costs, less environmental stress and greater durability.

The new plant at the Dolmen Resort was supplied and installed by Panta Lesco, local distributors for Prominent GmbH and pioneers in the reverse osmosis industry in Malta. Panta Lesco successfully installed the first reverse osmosis plant in 1980 - at the Dolmen Hotel.