Rehabilitation of Maghtab

Following the article by Kenneth Zammit Tabona entitled Smells, Bells and Yells (October 10) I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some facts about the rehabilitation works at the closed Maghtab dump.

Firstly the photograph mentioned by Mr Zammit Tabona was actually taken at Ghallis which is the new engineered landfill. What Mr Zammit Tabona refers to as the "snow effect" is in fact the geotextile protector used to protect the lining of the engineered landfill as a prevention method to avoid leakage of leachate into the ground.

One primary aim behind the Open Day at the Maghtab facilities, which incidentally was very well attended by the public, was to show people the dramatic changes that have taken place since the old Maghtab dump was closed in 2004 and to witness the differences between the old dump and an engineered landfill. Visitors, among them leading environmental NGOs, were impressed by the ongoing works. The invitation to visit the waste management facilities operated by WasteServ is still open to all who are interested in learning more about what is actually being done.

The article also refers to the "smells" emanating from the Maghtab dump. Mitigation measures are being taken to deal with these "smells" through an €8.4 million project co-funded by the EU. This funding is being invested in order to collect all gases being released from within the waste masses of the former uncontrolled landfill. This will allow for all harmful components to be destroyed before venting into the atmosphere. Over and above these systems will also accelerate the process of returning the sites to beneficial use.

Finally with regard to the "transformation" of Maghtab, the government issued a call for proposals last May, to turn Maghtab into a national park and not into a real estate project as the article suggests. To date 20 registrations have been received and landscaping proposals are due by the end of November.