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New Water - Automated Distribution System
Published on 14 May 2020
Malta
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
An innovative water distribution system has been incorporated within the New Water Project to facilitate the distribution of reclaimed water for irrigation use. These water distribution systems are distributed across the local agricultural land in such a manner that the need of pumping groundwater is minimized as distribution is mostly done by the use of gravity which aids in reducing the energy required to maintain this practice.
Access to New Water from these hydrants is enabled by using an electronic card which the users are registered to. The card registers the volume used by the single user, enabling the application of a tariff system aimed at ensuring efficient use of water. The distribution network is being further extended to reach further agricultural land in the proximity of the respective New Water Plants.
Access to New Water from these hydrants is enabled by using an electronic card which the users are registered to. The card registers the volume used by the single user, enabling the application of a tariff system aimed at ensuring efficient use of water. The distribution network is being further extended to reach further agricultural land in the proximity of the respective New Water Plants.
Resources needed
The water distribution system has been co-financed by the European Union under the EARDF program, with a total project value of €20 million.
Evidence of success
The automated system doesn't require any supervision and is easy to access once the farmer has obtained an electronic access card from the national public water utility. This ensures that farmers can obtain water at any time of the day. While this is happening, the system automatically logs in data of how much the farmer has withdrawn from his water account.
Potential for learning or transfer
From this practice, certain elements can be transferred to other EU countries, which are interested in the development of a water distribution network. Such practices include the minimal use of pumps, by using gravity to transport water from one place to another. This will reduce the total amount of energy consumed which will aid in the reduction of greenhouse gases emitted. The design revolting around the water hydrants involves a simplified automated approach. The intention is that any user will find the system easy to operate with minimal intervention.
Other potential transfer of knowledge lies within the methods used in the planning and construction phase of this network, by using the geomorphology of the surrounding area and calculating the number of water hydrants needed per amount of land used for agriculture., has the potential of aiding other water-scarce countries which have issues regarding the distribution of New Water.
Other potential transfer of knowledge lies within the methods used in the planning and construction phase of this network, by using the geomorphology of the surrounding area and calculating the number of water hydrants needed per amount of land used for agriculture., has the potential of aiding other water-scarce countries which have issues regarding the distribution of New Water.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Water Services Corporation
Malta
Malta
Contact
Officer