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.
Regional Engineer
Charles Camilleri is a Regional Engineer with the Water Services Corporation in Gozo. He told us about the filtration process and distribution of water on the island. Charles emphasised the importance of rainwater collection and how the construction industry on the islands often neglects this vital resource.
Hydrologist
Being a Hydrologist, Maartje works at Waternet as a senior project manager and consultant. She knows all about the importance of securing the right water levels in the city and how to regulate them. When too much water is in the city, it needs to be pumped out. This happens at IJmuiden, where excessive water gets pumped into the sea. At times of drought on the other hand, large amounts of water are being pumped into Amsterdam from the IJsselmeer. How to regulate this well? Maartje Faasse tells us about her work.
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.