Malta's ground water is seriously at risk from over-exploitation and pollution, jeopardising the island's only renewable fresh water resource, according to the State of the Environment Report 2005.

The amount of construction and demolition waste increased by an impressive 112 per cent in eight years and lead concentration in a quarter of Maltese soils was found to be too high.

On a positive note, however, the report shows a drastic reduction in benzene and sulphur dioxide concentration in the air as the island switches to more environment-friendly fuels.

The report, drawn up by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, identifies 22 areas where the environment is showing a negative trend and only six positive trends.

A major injection in both government finance and initiatives needs to be coupled with a formal education curriculum policy, the report says.

During a news conference, Environment Minister George Pullicino chose to focus on the positive aspects of the report, despite some worrying statistics.

Where water is concerned, the report says that the large share of extraction by private individuals, estimated at 30 per cent of total water production in 2003, highlights the vulnerability of the ground water to multiple private users.

Besides, in 2004, nitrate levels at two thirds of Water Services Corporation boreholes exceeded levels laid down in the EU's Nitrate Directive. Chloride levels in the mean sea level aquifer system all exceeded quality standards stipulated by the World Health Organisation.

Mr Pullicino acknowledged the extent of illegal boreholes and underlined the need to provide an alternative.

In 2004, however, all bathing water sites met Bathing Water Directive quality standards.

Turning to climate change, the report notes that Malta's greenhouse gas emissions increased by 44 per cent between 1990 and 2003, pointing out the need to separate economic growth from energy consumption.

Despite the rate of rising emissions, Malta had one of the lowest greenhouse gas emission rates per capita in the EU.

While using a cleaner fuel mix has had positive effects on air quality, there is still significant potential for further shifts - Malta is still far from reaching EU renewable energy targets.

Nitrogen oxides pollution remains high in certain urban areas. Annual averages of nitric oxide in Floriana were always above the annual limit value for human health protection. Yet there are some positive trends. The level of benzene in the area of Hompesch Road, Fgura was down by 42 per cent in a month and the concentration of sulphur dioxide was down by 36 per cent between 2003 and 2004.

The government is spending an additional Lm7 million a year to operate the power stations on low sulphur fuels.

The Mepa report says there is significant potential for improving the overall efficiency of land use. It calls for an in-depth investigation into the social and economic dynamics underpinning the apparent contradiction between exhorbitant property prices and the high rate of vacant residences.

Approximately five per cent of Malta's 1km coastal buffer area was developed between 1990 and 2004, indicating significant development pressures coming mainly from tourism and recreation.

The country was given a cleaner bill of health where waste was concerned, even if waste generation is still increasing rapidly. Progress has been achieved in setting up waste management systems such as permitting improved landfill management, and there is better enforcement.

Mr Pullicino said the government was determined to have 400 bring-in sites by the end of the year to encourage the public to recycle waste. At present there are 70 such sites and local councils have been given until March 31 to earmark the areas where they wanted to place the sites.

He urged the public and organisations to realise that most of the campaigns and initiatives steered by the government were ultimately intended to improve the environment.

Suffice it to say that the introduction of an eco tax has led to a reduction of 20 million plastic bags being used, the minister said.

Some key findings

¤ Water consumption rose by eight per cent between 1998 and 2004.

¤ Floriana, Hamrun and Sliema are the most affected areas by nitrogen dioxide.

¤ Motor vehicle ownership has more than doubled since 1986.

¤ In 2004, ozone levels at the Gordan lighthouse exceeded EU air quality standards on 36 per cent of days tested.

¤ Energy consumption grew by 61 per cent between 1990 and 2002 - and the trend is expected to continue.

¤ 23 per cent of dwellings are temporarily or permanently uninhabited.

¤ Environment expenditure increased 87 per cent from 0.5 per cent of GDP in 1990 to 1.4 per cent in 2004.

¤ Among the new EU member states, Malta had the largest percentage share of structural funds allocate to environmental projects.

¤ While 51 per cent of Malta was identified as of high or very high landscape value in 2004, only 12 per cent of the island's landscape has been formally protected.

¤ Municipal solid waste increased by 45 per cent between 1996 and 2004.

¤ Weather data indicates a 0.5°C rise in average annual temperature over the past 77 years.