A series of majestic underground structures enclose a valuable secret on how to fight water scarcity in Malta and Gozo…

The structures? None other than a range of reservoirs built to collect and channel rainwater by the Knights of St John and the British.

These architectural feats are testament to the great effort and expense invested to secure the islands’ water needs.

Having been vital to Malta’s survival for centuries, these reservoirs are nowadays endangered from disuse, or worse, from being seen as an obstacle to construction and development.

Credit: Steve Mallia, Il-Gibjun

“We are custodians of a centuries-old water-saving culture that can teach valuable lessons to all Mediterranean islands struggling with water scarcity,” Manuel Sapiano, CEO of the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) said.

“Protecting and reviving this heritage, of which rainwater harvesting reservoirs are a key pillar, can provide us with immensely valuable tools to shield us against climate change,” he continued.

EWA, in collaboration with NGO Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean, has formed Alter Aqua, a public-private project with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation and GSD Marketing.

Said project is putting the vision highlighted by Mr Sapiano into practice by identifying forgotten reservoirs of great cultural and environmental value and bringing them back to life through reservation works, before handing them back to Malta’s communities.

Credit: Steve Mallia, Il-Gibjun

Last year, major works were undertaken under Victory square in Birgu, in collaboration with the Birgu Municipality, bringing back to life the historic reservoir, which filled up with 800,000 litres of rainwater shortly after its restoration.

Currently, works are progressing in the Auberge de France, a 400-year-old building which serves as the seat of Birgu’s Municipal council, whose underground reservoir will again be used to collect rainwater, highlighting the importance of rainwater harvesting as part of the Municipality’s strategy for water security.

A common interest in rainwater harvesting reservoirs has led Alter Aqua to collaborate with Steven Mallia, a photographer and designer who has devoted himself to researching and uncovering the magnificence and cultural value of these structures.

Having already photographed more than 200 underground reservoirs, he is documenting their beauty as well as challenges they are facing.

“Reservoirs are strewn everywhere across Malta and Gozo, in response to the ubiquitous lack of freshwater that our ancestors faced,” Mr Mallia said.

“If we see these reservoirs today only as an antiquated obstacle to development, they stand little chance of surviving. But if we can make their beauty and cultural value shine, and highlight their potential as tourist attractions, then we can unite to protect them,” he continued.

Credit: Steve Mallia, Il-Gibjun

Mr Mallia firmly believes that the key is to allow more people, including younger generations, see and experience for themselves the magnificence of these structures.

He is currently compiling a photographic book, to be released in August 2022, giving the chance to all to ‘immerse’ themselves in these hidden gems.

Mr Mallia already sees evidence of this public interest in the engagement witnessed in his dedicated Facebook group, Il-Gibjun, which counts more than 2,700+ active members who are fascinated by Malta’s water saving heritage.

It is high time that the value of these underground gems came out into the open!

Main image: Steve Mallia, Il-Gibjun