Stop Buying Bottled Water. There's a Smarter Way to Drink Clean in Malta.
- Divine
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
How a tankless reverse osmosis system pays for itself — and why the government will cover up to 40% of the cost.
Malta's tap water has improved, but most households still want something better. Here's why the Keen 800G tankless reverse osmosis system is the upgrade your kitchen needs — and how to get up to 40% back from the government.
Most Maltese households spend hundreds of euros a year on bottled water. Not because they have to — but because nobody ever showed them the alternative.
We get it. Malta's relationship with tap water is complicated. For decades, the taste and the smell put people off, and the habit of buying bottles or relying on a water delivery service became ingrained. But in 2025, Water Services Corporation upgraded the public supply significantly — and even before that, reverse osmosis systems had already become the gold standard for home water filtration across the island.
The Keen 800G is the system we recommend most: a compact, high-performance, tankless RO unit with an alkaline remineralization stage — and one of the cleanest installs you can get under a kitchen sink.
What reverse osmosis actually does
Tap water in Malta typically carries dissolved minerals, chlorine, and trace contaminants. An RO system uses a semi-permeable membrane to filter water at the molecular level — removing up to 99% of dissolved solids, heavy metals, chlorine, nitrates, and bacteria, leaving you with water that's genuinely clean rather than just "acceptable."
The alkaline stage in the Keen 800G then adds back beneficial minerals — calcium and magnesium — to balance the pH and restore the kind of mineral profile you'd expect from quality bottled water. You're not drinking stripped, flat water. You're drinking something better than most of what's on the supermarket shelf.
Why the Keen 800G stands out
There are dozens of RO systems on the market. Here's what makes this one worth considering:
- 800G flow rate — enough for large families or small offices, filling a glass in around 5–7 seconds
- Tankless design — no bulky pressurised storage tank; traditional systems need something roughly the size of a football under your sink; the 800G eliminates that entirely
- Alkaline remineralisation stage for balanced pH and better taste
- Low waste — reject water can be diverted to your roof tank, saving water and unlocking the higher government grant rate
The tankless design is a bigger deal than it sounds. The result is a clean, minimal installation that fits in cabinets that would never accommodate a conventional system.
The government grant — up to 40% back
The Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS) runs a grant programme specifically for RO system purchases. The Keen 800G qualifies. Here's how the rates break down:
- 40% back — if reject water is diverted to your roof tank
- 15.25% back (up to €100) — if reject water is connected directly to drain
You pay the full purchase price upfront, then apply for reimbursement within 6 months of purchase (or before the scheme closes, whichever is sooner). Applications are open to private individuals for residential use.
👉 Apply here: https://schemes.rews.org.mt/index-ro2024.html#/785b102e-1faf-40ce-9b18-4946a92e53a4-ro
The 40% route requires your installer to connect the reject water line to your roof tank rather than straight to the drain. If your property has a roof tank (most in Gozo and Malta do), this is almost always worth doing. Ask our team when booking installation and we'll make sure it's set up correctly.
Filter maintenance — simple and infrequent
One reason people hesitate with RO systems is the maintenance. The reality with the Keen 800G is that there are only two cartridges to stay on top of, and neither needs replacing more than once a year under normal use:
- RO Membrane Cartridge → every 18–24 months
- PCB Pre-Carbon Block Filter → every 6–12 months
We stock both replacement cartridges in store and online. If you've purchased the system from us, we can also send you a reminder when it's time to replace — just ask when you visit.
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How it compares to buying bottled water
A typical Maltese family of four buying 5-litre bottles spends roughly €15–20 a month on water — that's €180–240 per year. Over five years, that's over €1,000, not counting the plastic waste or the inconvenience of carrying bottles home.
The Keen 800G is priced at €339. After a 40% grant, your net cost is around €203. Filter replacements over five years add perhaps another €80–100. That's a total five-year cost of under €310 — versus over €1,000 for bottles. You're ahead within the first year, and you never run out of water.
The average Maltese household uses around 500 plastic water bottles per year. An RO system eliminates that almost entirely. The reject water can be reused for irrigation, mopping, or — with the roof tank connection — flushing, so very little actually goes to waste.
Installation
The Keen 800G connects to your existing cold water supply under the sink and comes with a dedicated filtered water tap for your counter. Professional installation is available from Divine Appliances — we'll handle the plumbing, set up the waste connection, and make sure everything is running correctly before we leave.
If you're going for the 40% grant option, book installation with us and mention the roof tank connection — we'll make sure it's configured to qualify.
Keen 800G Tankless Reverse Osmosis System — €339
Available in store and online. Installation available.
Have a question before buying? Call us on 2155 0437 or email info@divine.com.mt. We're happy to advise on whether your property is suited to the 40% grant configuration.
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