The effects of changes in climate predicted until 2100 will result in a loss of more than 16% of groundwater volume on the Maltese Islands. This is the main outcome of a study carried out by scientists from the Universities of Calabria and Malta, in which three-dimensional geological and groundwater models were developed for the Maltese Islands.
Groundwater supplies almost half of the potable water in the Maltese Islands, which is one of the poorest countries globally in terms of water resources.
Three predicted effects were considered on the impact on groundwater volume and saltwater intrusion simulated for 80 years:
- Reduction in precipitation,
- Increase in water demand
- Sea-level rise
Of these effects, water demand plays the most important role in reducing groundwater volume. Sea-level rise, on the other hand, only plays a marginal role.
