Potentially hazardous materials found at landfills

Potentially hazardous materials are present at all three landfills, according to a study.

However, the second phase of a four-stage scientific profile of the Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija landfills did not identify liquid seepage into the ground and neither did it show contamination of the marine environment at Maghtab.

The profile was carried out by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Company Limited. The British company, which was awarded the contract in May, forms part of the world renowned Scott Wilson Consultancy Group.

The results were released yesterday by Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech during a press conference at the ministry.

Also present was Barry Gore from Scott Wilson, who said the remaining two phases of the programme should be completed by the end of February.

Dr Zammit Dimech said this scientific analysis provided a vital X-ray of the three landfills so they would eventually be rehabilitated after being closed down by the end of 2004.

"It would be useless to come up with all these concepts for rehabilitation without having the scientific data in hand to determine what precautions need to be taken," he said.

Dr Zammit Dimech said there had been several ideas on the future use of the landfills, ranging from mere landscaping to the creation of a golf course or equestrian centre.

"We have not ruled out any suggestions. Once we have all the results in hand then we can work on the best possible option for rehabilitation," he said.

Speaking about the second phase of the programme, Dr Zammit Dimech said the specific objectives of the project included the identification of existing impacts on the potential risk to public health and the environment of the three landfills.

It was also geared to preparing an environmentally sound strategy for the restoration, return to beneficial use and after-care of each of the sites.

This stage involved intrusive investigation, monitoring, sampling and testing.

Specialist testing of the collected samples is going on.

Mr Gore said that heating as a result of waste combustion was observed at all three sites.

Results indicated that there were no elevated concentrations of dioxins, potentially emitted by the landfill fires, on the local agricultural soil near each of the sites.

Mr Gore also said there was no contamination of the marine environment in the area of Maghtab.

The water quality in the vicinity of each landfill was generally found to be similar to elsewhere in the Maltese islands, particularly with respect to heavy metals.

Mr Gore said that there was, however, evidence of general bacteriological contamination of groundwater, which could relate to the presence of the landfill or local agricultural practices, such as the use of animal slurry as fertiliser.

When asked about previous warnings from the health department that the seawater was contaminated and not safe for swimming, Mr Gore repeated that there was no evidence of contamination in the area.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the next stage of the project involved undertaking a number of site specific risk assessments based on the results of these investigations and the information gathered from the first study.