3f - Reverse Osmosis

What is reverse osmosis

process used to change salt water into potable water

Reverse osmosis process

1. Seawater is collected and brought to the desalination plant.

2. The seawater is filtered to remove solid waste and other particles.

3. The filtered water is forced through special membranes at high pressure (reverse osmosis) to remove dissolved salts.

4. The desalinated water is disinfected with chlorine to kill any harmful microorganisms.

5. The treated water is stored in reservoirs and distributed for use.

6. The water is now safe for drinking and other domestic purposes

Where are Reverse Osmosis plants in Malta

• Ghar Lapsi

• Pembroke

• Cirkewwa

• Hondoq (Gozo)

What are the advantages of RO plants

• Help meet demand for potable drinking water in Malta

What are disadvantages of RO plants

• use a large amount of electricity

• very expensive to run

• since they use large amounts of electricity they cause Malta to rely on imported fuel sources

What do sewage treatment plants do

clean dirty water by using bacteria to break down waste in them

What happens when raw sewage is passed through tanks with bacteria

• Solid matter is removed from the system as sludge and clear odorless water rises to the top.

• This water is not fit for drinking and is either discharged in the sea or used in irrigation by farmers

What are examples of sewage treatment plants in Mata

• Tac-Cumnija (near Anchor Bay in Mellieha)

• Ras il-Hobz (Gozo)

• Ta’ Barkat (Xghajra)

What is a major advantage of sewage treatment plants

They create second class/new water which is used by farmers to irrigate their crops, reducing their reliance on bore-hole water

What are the different sources of water in Malta

• groundwater

• springs

• desalination (reverse osmosis)

• sewage treatment

How can water be conserved

• cisterns

• covered reservoirs (covered to reduce evaporation)

• A dam is a barrier built across a river or valley to hold back water and create a reservoir for storage.

Ways to preserve Maltas water

• Short showers

• Low flow showerhead

• Energy efficient washing machine/dishwasher

• Use a broom not a hose to clean outside walkaways

What is a flood plain

• A floodplain is a flat low-lying area of land beside a river that is regularly flooded when the river overflows its banks.

Why are floodplains important in agriculture

When a river floods, it leaves behind nutrient-rich soil on the floodplain, making the land very fertile and good for growing crops.

What is rainfall flooding/flash flooding

When an area receives a significant amount of rainfall in a short period of time, causing rapidly rising sea levels

What are some localities that are affected by flooding each year

• Attard

• Lija

• Marsa

• Iklin

• Marsascala

• Qormi

• Msida

• Birkirkara

• Gzira

• Balzan

What are the physical causes of flooding

• Flat land: Flat land is more prone to flooding because water spreads out easily and drains away slowly, allowing floodwater to accumulate.

• Heavy rainfall

What are the human causes of flooding

• Climate change (as it leads to more frequent and intense rainfall events)

• Deforestation increases flood risk because fewer trees absorb rainwater, so more water flows over the land surface.

• Building on farmland increases flood risk because roads and concrete are impermeable, preventing water from soaking into the ground and causing more surface runoff.

What is flood control

the use of different methods to prevent or reduce the negative impact of floods on people, the environment and the economy

What has been done in Malta as flood control

• National Flood Relief Project, focusing on areas like Birkirkara, Gzira, Qormi, Marsa and Marsascala

4 ways to prevent rainfall flooding in Malta

• Planting trees and plants to help catch and soak up rainwater

• Protecting and bringing back natural areas that help control flooding

• Encouraging the use of surfaces that allow rainwater to be absorbed by the ground

• Limiting buildings in areas that are at a high risk of flooding