The planning authority and the Malta Resources Authority received €250,000 from the EU for the long-term sustainable management of all water resources, including ground, coastal and inland surface water.

Implementing the plan would help to improve freshwater quality and availability, protect the environment and conserve ecosystems, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said.

"As the country with the smallest freshwater reserves in the Mediterranean, there is little doubt that protecting Malta's water resources is critical, not only environmentally, but also economically and socially," it added. Both entities have teamed up with the French Ministry of Ecology and with experts from the International Office of Water to deliver the project.

Mepa explained it was responsible for inland surface water and for coastal water protection while the MRA was responsible for groundwater protection.

The EU funds will be used to prepare and plan measures for the protection of water resources.

Mepa and the MRA will identify and characterise water bodies, analyse pressures and impacts for each water body and draw up a programme of management measures.

An economic analysis will assess the cost-effectiveness of each measure. A water catchment management plan will then be drawn up.