Is the water drinkable in Malta? A complete overview of the quality of tap water in Malta.

Tap water in Malta is safe to drink. It meets the standards of the European Drinking Water Directive (Directive 2020/2184). The archipelago is now even ranked among the countries with the best drinking water quality.

Drinking tap water has not always been possible in the past. The quality of Maltese water has significantly improved in recent years due to massive investments that have led to a strong reduction of chlorides (sea water salinity) and chlorine (used for treatment) in tap water.

Despite these changes, which make Malta a country with tap water that meets European standards, it is still common to hear that water is not drinkable in Malta, and many residents still prefer bottled water.

This persistent mistrust is explained by the fact that water in Malta was long unfit for consumption, making it rarely used by residents. Today, although drinkable, Maltese water retains an “unusual taste.” Tap water appears slightly salty and has a noticeable chlorine taste.

When consumed in moderate quantities, Malta’s tap water poses no major health risks. However, it is important to note that it is treated with chlorine to remove bacteria and viruses. About 1 mg of chlorine per liter of water (or 1 ppm) is used, which is within regulatory standards (many European countries add chlorine to treat water) but about three times higher than the levels observed in other European countries.

Chlorine treatment can cause digestive issues in some people, even in small amounts. Many people therefore prefer to avoid drinking tap water in Malta due to its higher chlorine content compared to other countries.

The official body responsible for monitoring water quality is the Water Services Corporation (WSC), which regularly publishes the results of its analyses on its dedicated portal. The WSC monitors chlorine levels and is committed to continuously improving infrastructure.

As part of these efforts, the WSC has recently completed the testing phase of a simple carbon filter designed to “correct the taste” of the water by extracting chlorine elements.

Malta has no natural freshwater resources (no rivers or lakes) and therefore relies on two main sources for its drinking water supply:

About two-thirds of drinking water comes from desalination plants using reverse osmosis. Four main facilities, located in Għar Lapsi, Pembroke, Ċirkewwa, and Hondoq (Gozo), ensure a quality water supply despite high costs and significant energy consumption.

The remaining third comes from the archipelago’s two groundwater reserves. However, these underground resources are vulnerable, suffering from regular contamination due to saltwater infiltration, pollution from agricultural nitrates, and wastewater.

The “swimming pool” taste often noticed in Maltese tap water is due to the addition of chlorine, which is essential to ensure its drinkability. However, several solutions can help reduce its smell and taste:

The simplest solution is to let the water sit in an open carafe in the refrigerator for a few hours. The chlorine will naturally evaporate. However, be careful not to exceed 24 hours to avoid the risk of bacterial growth.

Installing a home filtration system (microfiltration or activated carbon filtration) can reduce up to 95% of the chlorine present, significantly improving the water’s taste.