S.L. 549.21 Art. 5Conformity with values.

(1) The competent authority shall take all necessary measures to ensure that surface water conforms to the values laid down pursuant to regulation 4. The competent authority shall apply these regulations without distinction to the waters, over which Malta has jurisdiction.

(2) The competent authority shall, in line with the objectives of these regulations, take the necessary measures to ensure continuing improvement of the environment by drawing up a systematic plan of action including a timetable for the improvement of surface water and especially that falling within category A3:

Provided that the timetable referred to in this subregulation will be drawn up in the light of the need to improve the quality of the environment, and of water in particular, and the economic and technical constraints which exist or which may arise.

(3) Surface water having physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics falling short of the mandatory limiting values corresponding to treatment type A3 may not be used for the abstraction of drinking water: Provided that such lower quality water may, in exceptional circumstances, be utilized provided suitable processes - including blending - are used to bring the quality characteristics of the water up to the level of the quality standards for drinking water.

(4) The competent authority shall publish by notice in the Gazette the grounds for such exceptions, on the basis of a water resources management plan within the area concerned, as soon as possible, in the case of existing installations, and in advance, in the case of new installations.