Wastewater plants on stream by year's end

The two new urban wastewater treatment plants in the north of Malta and in Gozo are expected to be in operation towards the end of the year.

The Water Services Corporation's plants will be located in the areas known as ic-Cumnija, limits of Mellieha and at Mgarr ix-Xini, limits of Ghajnsielem.

The Malta plant will eliminate raw sewage contamination of popular sandy beaches and bays, particularly Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Gnejna Bay, Anchor Bay and Paradise Bay, whereas the Gozo plant will treat all the sewage generated in Gozo, the Investments Ministry said.

The Malta north project, which comprises the replacement of all major sewer trunk mains between Xemxija and Mellieha together with the upgrade of two major pumping stations, is funded through the 5th Italian Protocol Agreement (€8.5 million) whereas the Gozo plant is half co-financed through the EU's pre-accession funds (€6.5 million).

Last year, the government had announced that a third sewage treatment plant will be built in the south of Malta, which will cater for 80 per cent of the sewage produced in the island. This plant is expected to be in operation by 2008.

The WSC said that in line with the EU directive, it is fully aware of the potential reuse of the treated sewage effluent for various non-potable water applications.