Implementation of the European Union Water Framework Directive

Identification of Drinking Water

Protected Areas

Register of Protected Areas

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The Water Policy Framework Regulations (L.N. 194 of 2004) under Regulation 6 requires the establishment of a register of all areas lying within each Water Catchment District which have been designated as requiring special protection under specific legislation for the protection of their surface water and groundwater or for the conservation of habitats and species directly depending on water. 

The Regulations under Annex IV specify that this register should include the following types of protected areas:

1. areas designated for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption under Regulation 7;

2. areas designated for the protection of economically significant aquatic species;

3. bodies of water designated as recreational waters, including areas designated as bathing waters under any regulations concerning the quality of bathing water;

4. nutrient-sensitive areas, including areas designated as vulnerable zones under the Protection of Water against Pollution caused by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 343 of 2001) and areas designated as sensitive areas under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (L.N. 340 of  2001); and

5. areas designated for the protection of habitats or species where the maintenance  or improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection,  including relevant areas protected through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2003 (L.N. 257 of 2003) and the Protection of Birds and  Wild Rabbits Regulations, 1993 (L.N. 146 of 1993) as amended.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding formulated between the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Malta Resources Authority for the co-ordinated implementation of the Water Policy Framework Regulations, 2004; the Malta Resources Authority is responsible to determine the areas to be protected for reasons related to the abstraction of groundwater intended for human consumption.  The Authority's proposals are outlined in the document "Establishing Drinking Water Protection Areas under the Water Policy Framework Regulations, 2004" and detailed plans of the proposed areas to be designated as drinking water safeguard zones can be downloaded through the links below.