The majority of water suppliers advertising in the Yellow Pages make use of boreholes not registered and certified by the Public Health Department while providing reassurances it is safe to consume.
An exercise carried out by The Sunday Times of Malta showed that bowser suppliers are selling potentially hazardous water delivered at an average cost of €30 for 3,000 gallons and claiming it is safe to drink.
The price has increased from €26 for 3,000 gallons in 2008 when the newspaper first reported the problem. Since then, not only have the authorities failed to bring the problem under control but it has become worse with fewer water suppliers having the approval of the Health Department.
More in The Sunday Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.