Update 2: Blood in Albertown
Internal investigation being held
(Adds WSC' and ministry statements)
An extensive amount of blood seeping out of the slaughterhouse in Marsa has led the council to take up the issue with the media in hope that it would be tackled.
Mayor Francis Debono asked where were the health and environment authorities and how come no one seemed to be responsible for what was happening.
He warned that should this situation be repeated, the council would take all steps according to law to safeguard the health and quality of life of its residents, as well as workers in Albertown.
WSC'S REACTION
The Water Services Corporation referred to the seepage as a "sewage system overflow", which, it said, was caused by a blockage due to illegal dumping of materials in the drainage system.
It said its workers were on site as soon as they were alerted at 11:10 a.m. and at 3 p.m. were still underway to clear the sewer system. The area was to be washed and disinfected upon completion of works.
The WSC appealed to the public not to dump unauthorised materials such as oils, fats, rags, and straw into the sewer system. The public was also encouraged to report abuse.
MINISTRY'S REACTION
An internal investigation is being held at the slaughterhouse to establish was led to the blocking of the sewage system.
The Rural Affairs Ministry said that during works at Marsa this morning, an overflow was reported from the drainage pit between Troubridge and il-Biccerija streets. The overflow included a liquid which originated from the slaughterhouse. The WSC was informed and workers were on site within minutes to remove material that was blocking the drainage system.
Immediate action was taken to reduce the volume of water going through the system and the roads were washed.
The ministry said that the problem was caused by waste thrown in the system illegally.
But the slaughterhouse filtered water to ensure that no solid waste ended in the system. Solid waste from the slaughterhouse was taken to the incinerator but the water used for the washing of the plant went into the drainage system.
So an internal investigation was being carried out with the help of WSC technical staff to establish the facts.
The slaughterhouse apologised for the inconvenience caused, the ministry said.