During a media briefing led by Water Services Corporation (WSC) CEO Karl Cilia, the Corporation presented key updates on the National Investment Plan (NIP) for 2023-2033. The briefing covered major milestones, ongoing projects, and forward-looking strategies, including new legislative and technological initiatives.
Key Achievements and Progress
WSC has achieved substantial progress in enhancing Malta’s water infrastructure and services. Significant milestones include:
- Network Efficiency: Increased to 72%, a notable improvement from 52% in 2011.
- Leakage Reduction: WSC’s Infrastructure Leakage Index now stands at 1.8, down from 13% in 2013, reflecting WSC’s commitment to reducing water loss.
- Water Misuse Cases: More than 100 cases of illegal water use were resolved, recovering €1 million in lost revenue through AI modelling.
Financial and Operational Highlights (2023)
- Water Billing: WSC billed 26.5 million cubic meters of water in 2023, a 9% increase from the previous year.
- Profit Growth: WSC recorded €6.2 million in profits, marking a 53% increase, alongside an 11.8% revenue growth.
- Capital Disbursement: The corporation disbursed 92% of its allocated budget, a 14% year-on-year increase.
Strategic Goals for 2023-2033
WSC continues to drive forward its long-term strategic vision with a €310.5 million investment plan, of which €126 million is co-financed by the EU. Key projects include:
- 100km of water network upgrades
- Reverse osmosis plant and wastewater infrastructure upgrades
- Reservoir renovations
Ongoing and Completed Projects
- Potable Water Projects: 25 pre-tender projects and €102.5 million worth of ongoing implementation.
- Wastewater Projects: €6.85 million in current works and €6.5 million in recently completed projects.
Karl Cilia reiterated WSC’s dedication to sustainable water management. “Our National Investment Plan is designed to secure a future where water services are efficient, environmentally responsible, and meet the evolving needs of our society,” he said.
CEO Karl Cilia Addresses Summer Bay Closures
Karl Cilia also addressed recent summer bay closures, clarifying that the incidents were caused by third parties and not related to WSC’s network. The Corporation worked diligently with stakeholders to ensure swift resolution of the issues while maintaining its focus on network safety and quality.
Innovative Legislative and Technological Measures
WSC is not only focusing on infrastructural improvements but is also actively working on new legislation aimed at ensuring clean wastewater flow across Malta’s network. This proposed law will regulate what is discharged at source by businesses owners to prevent illegal substances from entering the wastewater network.
In addition, WSC is at the forefront of deploying AI technology for real-time water management, particularly in chlorine dosing and water blending across its network. These advancements will help maintain water quality while optimizing operational efficiency.
Groundbreaking Augmented Reality Technology
As part of its commitment to innovation, WSC is implementing cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR) technology to map underground water and wastewater services without the need for road excavation. This technology allows the corporation to inspect and monitor buried pipelines and infrastructure with minimal disruption to the public. By creating a real-time digital model of underground services, WSC can carry out maintenance more efficiently and accurately.
