Friday, 6th November 2009
Salini canal reconstructed
The stench of stagnant water at Is-Salini appears to have finally been eliminated for good following the reconstruction of a canal that dates back to the time of the Knights.
The canal, about 835 metres long and 1.5 metres deep, was originally built to circulate the water around the salt pans using the waves that came in from the bay. However, over the years, it became blocked by debris.
Some 10,000 tons of silt and rubbish were removed from the canal in a project that cost about €250,000.
The Rural Affairs Ministry, which was responsible for the rehabilitation works, said the canal would now be regularly maintained to avoid the water becoming stagnant again.
The reconstruction of the canal forms part of a project expected to be completed in two years' time at an estimated cost of €10 million, including €4 million to be spent on the reconstruction of Salini Road.
The salt pans there are the only man-made ones in the Mediterranean Basin and the metal huts, which were used to store the salt, will also be restored. One of them will be converted into a restaurant.
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Comments
Grazzi
M Buhagiar
What about cleaning up Chadwick Lakes. The whole valley is silted up almost to the top of the dams. Defeats the original object of the whole project. Ahhh, I forget, this is a no no because it was started by 'the others'.
Yes the canal was designed in such a way that the qawra side is wider than the salina side so that wave action would ensure proper circulation.
Unfortunately at the moment , part of the salt pans wall on the qawra side is missing therefore, the wave action is lost as it dissipates into the salt pans.
We hope this will be fixed soon and the salt pans are cleared of all the rubbish and illegal development, which includes 2 illegally constructed fish tanks where tons of cement was poured into a historical site that dates back to the 16th century!! SHAME.
MEPA are well aware of this atrocity as their web site used to indicate this, with an enforcement order but to date nothing has been done, the tanks are now abandoned and a source of stagnant water and mosquitoes!!
There are also rusty containers and other paraphenalia from fish farms that have been dumped on the site, hopefully all this rubbish will be cleared and the site will be given the historical and natural importance that it deserves.