The Malta Resources Authority and the police on Thursday stopped the illegal drilling of a borehole in the limits of Mosta.

Investigations concluded that machinery which resembles a forklift was being used to drill the hole for the extraction of groundwater.

The authority yesterday said it shall not process nor accept any applications for the drilling of any borehole intended for the extraction of groundwater for at least a year.

In fact, Thursday's action comes after the government announced a 12-month moratorium for new borehole permits as it takes stock of the scale of extraction from the water table.

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said last Wednesday that a strategic plan on water production would be drafted in a bid to ensure sustainability.

In fact, according to government's own estimates, current extraction of ground water is estimated at about 34 million cubic metres a year, 11 million cubic metres more than the Malta Resources Authority's recommendations for sustainable extraction.

The ministry warned yesterday that any person who, during this moratorium, drills a borehole or carries out any excavation works within the saturated zone, without the permission of the authority, will be liable to a minimum fine of €20,000 and up to a maximum of €50,000 as well as the confiscation of the equipment used for drilling.

Hotline 8007 2223 will be available all day, Saturday and Sunday included, for people to report directly to the authority cases of illegal boreholes.