Authorities still undecided about tariffs for groundwater extraction. Companies are still allowed to extract groundwater for free before selling it.
The authorities are still mulling whether to introduce tariffs on groundwater boreholes, a year and a half after first floating the idea in a public consultation.
Malta relies heavily on groundwater extraction, with data showing that just over a third of its water supply is sourced through groundwater, with the remaining two-thirds coming from desalination plants.
Groundwater extraction for commercial purposes is currently free. Several companies in Malta are known to extract water from boreholes at no charge, before purifying it and bottling it to sell to their customers, using it in their products or selling it to households looking to fill their swimming pool as summer approaches.
