New sewage treatment plant inaugurated
A sewage treatment plant at Ic-Cumnija near Anchor Bay was inaugurated this morning, marking the culmination of an €11m project financed under the Italian financial protocol.
The plant is the second of three plants which will ensure that all sewage is treated before being dumped into the sea. The third and biggest plant still has to be built in the south of Malta. The first, in Gozo, was inaugurated early last year.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who inaugurated the new plant, said these projects were important not only in view of Malta’s international commitments, but especially for reasons of health, environmental protection and promotion of the tourism product, particularly diving holidays.
Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said the project was only slightly behind schedule and had gone over budget by about €100,000.
The plant will treat 6,700 cubic metres of sewage daily. A study is being carried out by the Water Services Corporation on the viability of treating the sewage further so that it could be used for agricultural purposes, rather than being pumped out to sea.
The three plants will in total cost €100 million. The third plant, which has been mired in controversy over location and the granting of contracts, will be paid for through EU funds. It is expected to be commissioned next year.
The new plant started operating in October but had to be shut down after contamination of the water table.
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andrew cachia
Mar 4th 2009, 19:32
this is fantastic news...one snag...12 years late!! but better late than never
albert leone ganado
Mar 4th 2009, 16:17
Well done to all concerned.
Our island which depends critically on tourism needs to ensure the highest level of quality water around our coastline.
Let us hope that this plant will help to ensure blue flag status to the beaches nearby.
J.F. Vassallo Ebejer
Mar 4th 2009, 15:31
“The plant will treat 6,700 cubic metres of sewage daily. A study is being carried out by the Water Services Corporation on the viability of treating the sewage further so that it could be used for agricultural purposes, rather than being pumped out to sea.”
Would it not have made sense for WSC to first have carried out the study regarding the viability of treating sewage further, and THEN invest in the plant itself?
It’s not as if the project came out of the blue…….nor are we talking of rocket science. A simple Google search shows that Israel recycles some 75% of its sewage, and plans are in hand to increase this to 90% by 2020.
I am not trying to belittle the work that needs to be done, but surely better planning would have given us better results.
Roberto Vella
Mar 4th 2009, 15:15
first of all well done, projects like this one no doubt are a much needed help to the country's efforts at improving our natural environment.
However, i find it strange that government is somewhat congratulating itself because "the project was only slightly behind schedule and had gone over budget by about €100,000". I do hope the minister was erroneously quoted. We certainly cannot congratulate ourselves on being efficient. It would have been noteworthy had the plant been finished ahead of schedule and below budgeted expenditure
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Mar 4th 2009, 15:01
PROSIT TASSEW u GRAZIE DI NUOVO ITALIA