Archeologist
Reuben Grima, an Associate Professor at the Department of Conservation & Built Heritage at the University of Malta,
He speaks about Neolithic Malta and cultural heritage management, explores prehistoric water systems and their dual role in both ritual practices and sustenance. He discussed the archaeological methods employed to gather and analyze data, emphasizing the importance of understanding geological and hydrological factors. Grima also highlighted how interdisciplinary approaches, combining archaeology with anthropology, geology, and other fields, are crucial for uncovering the intricate relationship between ancient communities and their water sources.
Photographer
Daniel Cilia, a professional photographer, has spent much of his career documenting the cultural, archaeological, and artistic heritage of Malta and Gozo. In a recent interview, he discussed his explorations of the islands’ underground reservoirs and cisterns, bringing attention to a lesser-known aspect of Maltese history.
His work extends beyond photography, serving as a documentation of the islands’ historical narrative, with a particular focus on the water systems that are often overlooked. He shared personal experiences from his explorations, such as navigating through ancient water galleries and capturing these structures through his lens. Having grown up on the islands, his connection to Malta and Gozo informs his storytelling with a sense of familiarity and personal investment.
During the interview, he spoke about the importance of preserving these historical sites, not only for their visual appeal but also for their historical significance. He described the architectural features of the reservoirs and cisterns, noting how these functional structures were also crafted with attention to detail, reflecting the skill of past builders.
He also addressed broader issues, such as the effects of modern development on the environment and the significant role water has played in Maltese culture. His observations provided insight into how water, a basic necessity, has influenced the socio-economic and cultural development of the islands over time.
Overall, the interview combined his photographic work with his personal and historical knowledge, offering a perspective on Malta’s heritage and the importance of its water systems.
Archivist, Gozo Archives
John Cremona is the Assistant National Archivist in Gozo. He told us about water being mentioned in the documents of the national archives, mediaeval punishments for polluting main sources with dirty laundry and the joyful etymology of the island’s name- Gozo and Ghawdex.
Medical Doctor
Dr. Ercole Spiteri, a public health doctor in Gozo, discussed the importance of drinking water, particularly in hot climates. He emphasized the necessity of adequate hydration for kidney function and overall health, especially for the elderly. Dr. Spiteri highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, including the increased risk of Legionella infection due to higher temperatures facilitating bacterial growth in water systems. He described his daily routine, which involves monitoring infectious diseases, contact tracing, and advising on public health matters.
Dr. Spiteri also discussed the importance of water cleanliness, the risks associated with stagnant water in household plumbing, and the need for regular inspection and maintenance of water systems. He mentioned that while tap water in Malta and Gozo is generally safe, issues like high chlorine levels and the presence of biofilms in pipes can pose health risks.
Regarding swimming pools, Dr. Spiteri identified parasites such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba histolytica as common concerns, explaining that these parasites can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and are resistant to chlorine.
He concluded with personal reflections on water, sharing memories of the sea and discussing the historical significance of water in Gozo’s Citadel. The interview underscored the complexities of ensuring safe drinking water and the ongoing public health efforts to mitigate waterborne diseases.
Advisor: Pumping station and groundwater
George Micallef, a 66-year-old advisor at the Water Services Corporation in Gozo, provided a detailed recount of his professional journey and the challenges faced in water management. He began his career as an electronic technician before joining the Water Services Corporation in the early ’90s. His expertise transitioned from electronics to water services, where he managed groundwater, boreholes, and reverse osmosis systems.
Micallef described the evolution of water quality and distribution in Gozo, emphasizing improvements through polishing plants and the integration of reverse osmosis. He highlighted the shift from reliance on boreholes to advanced treatment plants, detailing the technical processes and challenges, including the impact of farming and urban development on groundwater.
He also shared his experiences with water quality monitoring, leak detection, and the significant role of technology and electricity in water management. His contributions, particularly in developing a polishing plant, marked a career highlight, showcasing his dedication to improving Gozo’s water infrastructure.
Engineer, the New Water section
Jake Diedo is an engineer with the Water Services Corporation in Malta, where he leads the New Water section. This innovative project is dedicated to converting treated sewage water into a high-quality resource for agricultural purposes, significantly reducing the reliance on Malta’s limited freshwater supplies. Farmers are the primary users of this “new water,” which is distributed through a network of over 650 dispensers across Malta and Gozo.
In his interview, Jake detailed the technical aspects of the filtration process, which involves multiple stages including ultraviolet (UV) treatment to ensure the water meets stringent safety standards. He discussed the current scale of the project, which already supports a significant portion of the island’s agricultural needs, and shared the team’s ambitions to expand the system further.
Jake also addressed the successes of the project, such as the positive reception from farmers who initially were skeptical of using treated sewage water but now rely on it heavily. However, he also acknowledged challenges, including issues of misuse where the water, provided at a minimal cost, is sometimes diverted for non-agricultural purposes. Despite these challenges, Jake remains focused on optimizing the system, including the integration of new technologies like solar-powered dispensers and fiber-optic communication for better monitoring and management.
Mechanical Engineer, Reverse Osmosis section
Ronald Pace, a mechanical engineer and manager at the Water Services Corporation, oversees the reverse osmosis (RO) plant and desalination activities in Malta. He discussed the crucial role of RO technology in providing the majority of Malta’s drinking water, given the island’s limited natural water resources. Pace explained the technical aspects of reverse osmosis, including the process of filtering seawater through sophisticated membranes to produce potable water, and the importance of energy efficiency in this process. He also touched on the challenges of maintaining the plant, the importance of teamwork, and the significance of planning and preparation to ensure a continuous water supply. Pace emphasized the need for public awareness about the complexities and efforts involved in delivering clean water to the island’s residents.
Part-time Archivist, Almere Archives
With Michel Langedijk we spoke about the making of Almere, how city planning utopia is affected by real-life needs and decisions, about weerwater artificial lake in the city center, and about Michel’s favourite and fragile drawings of Almere that he found in the archive collection. It is an interview that narrates the story of negotiations between imagination and rationality.
Maritime Archaeologist
In this interview with Yftinus van Popta, we unpack the title Shallow Waters concerning Almere, what treasures the reclaimed land hides and what a boring day for a maritime archaeologist looks like. This conversation touches upon the broader notion of archives and Yftinus tells us a fascinating folk story of doom from the region.
Retired City Planner
According to Jan Frans de Hartog, water cannot be destroyed. No expensive housing can be easily built on top of the water, so making a lake in the middle of a city will lead to inhabitants always seeing the horizon above the lake. A story of building Almere Haven from one of the city’s founding fathers. A memory of young people with little experience but lots of enthusiasm, discovering that the polder’s emptiness is a paradise for city planning.
Barge Skipper
In this insightful interview, Tido, a water worker and skipper in Amsterdam shares his experiences in maintaining and cleaning the city’s iconic canals. He discusses the significance of the canals in protecting the city from flooding and talks about the various debris they encounter, including plastic, tires, and even cars. Tido emphasises the importance of their work in keeping the canals safe and navigable. The interview also touches on childhood memories, dreams, and legends related to water. Tido’s story offers a unique perspective on the hidden but crucial role of water workers in preserving the beauty and functionality of Amsterdam’s waterways.
Geosciences Professor
(en) Dr. Kim Cohen, Geosciences professor at the University of Utrecht, joins us this session to discuss shifting coastlines, mapping sea-level rises, and what we can do to mitigate the effects of extreme coastal changes.
Teamleader brug-en Sluiswachten
As a little Amsterdam boy, Stefan climbed opened bridges to annoy the bridge keepers, not knowing he would become a bridge and lock keeper himself. For 15 years, Stefan has worked as a bridge and lock keeper. He shares his love for the profession.
Ferry Skipper
This is an interview with Uljan, a skipper with GVB Ferries. Uljan, who came to the interview dressed in full uniform, told the School of Winds and Waves about his daily routine at work, secrets that deep waters conceal, and an office with the best view in Amsterdam.
Spokesperson
How to communicate water? An inteview with Jessica Winkelhorst, a spokesperson of Vitens.
Water sample: tap water.
Process Operator
Hessel Rozenga has a lot of power on Terschelling. He is responsible for all drinking water on the island. From checking the drinking water installation and the pipe from the mainland to Terschelling, to repairs at people’s homes. Hessel explains how water is purified into drinking water. He himself does not drink purified water, but directly from the ground. So why do people still want purified water? And could we also purify sewage water into drinking water?
Water sample: tap water Tool: plumbing fitting.
Salt Agriculture and Chef
Flang Cupido is a pioneer in saline agriculture on Terschelling. As the groundwater becomes saltier, normal agriculture can produce less and less good food. Saline agriculture is a solution. The Zilte Smaak is a practical case of how you can grow fruit and vegetables in soil that is becoming saltier. It’s also still very tasty. To compensate for the salty soil, fruit becomes much sweeter. What are the things we will eat in a saltier future?
Water sample: 2/3 salt and 1/3 sweet sourcewater
Field Worker
Jan van der Bij is a forester at the Staatsbosbheer on West-Terschelling. He tells everything about the management of waterways, the recently completed water splendor project and what exactly seepage water is. Water sample: seepage water.
Infrastructure Engineer
With Ward we spoke about the flow of water, electricity and internet in large scale festival set-up. Water sample: festival toilet flushing water Tool: Plumbing coupler.
2nd Deputy Major
With the second deputy major on Terschelling we had a conversation about various facets of water policy. It was striking how “listening” in this interview became a bridging theme between art and policymaking. Water sample: tap water from Gemeente Tool: iPad.
Cattle Farmer
We interviewed Gerard at our pop up radio station in Hoorn forest.
We spoke about how much water a cow drinks on a hot day, about intergenerational labour on the farm and Gerard’s progress in saline agriculture. Water sample: ground water from the farm Tool: trench shovel.
Professor of Climate and Water
We spoke to Pier Vellinga, Professor of Climate and Water, about the impacts of salinization on agriculture at large and on the island of Terschelling. Pier leant us his knowledge when thinking about the future of crops and farming once water supplies become saltier.
District and Dijk Manager
Rayon manager and dike keeper Albert Kiers, works for Wetterskp Fryslân. He tells us about the inner and outer dike area on Terschelling. The island is slightly tilted: part is above sea level and part is below. Kiers is constantly looking for the right water level for the whole area. A broadcast with a map, a salt meter and meticulous notes in an oldfashioned noteboook.
Rayonbeheerder en dijkwachter Albert Kiers, werkzaam voor Wetterskp Fryslân vertelt over het binnen- en buitendijks gebied op Terschelling. Het eiland ligt een beetje gekanteld: een deel ligt boven NAP en een deel eronder. Kiers zoekt voortdurend naar de juiste waterstand voor het hele gebied. Een uitzending met een kaart, zoutmeter en een succesagenda.
Water sample: ground water
Tool: conductivity meter
Forest Ranger
In daily life, forester Joeri Lamers informs residents of Terschelling about the work the Forestry Commission does to protect nature. In our studio he tells us about the origins of the Hoorn forest and the connection between dunes and fresh water.
Water sample: ground water from the forest
Tool: binoculars