David Schembri
'Mystery' Sta Venera tunnel leak reappears
The mystery leak at the Santa Venera tunnel has reappeared. Photo: Jason Borg
The intermittent leak in the northbound Sta Venera tunnel has reappeared, mere weeks after water ceased dripping.
The leak is located about 100 metres into the same tunnel and made its return on Tuesday with a constant shower pouring over the central strip.
When the leak made an impressive debut following heavy rain on September 29 last year, the outflow was so strong the northbound tunnel had to be closed for traffic.
The water appears after heavy rain falls, however it does not stop once the rain subsides and can go on for weeks at a stretch.
The problem falls on the lap of two authorities, Transport Malta and the Water Services Corporation. None of them was able to come up with a conclusive explanation but the WSC is now clearly passing the buck over to the transport authority.
Investigations carried out on samples taken by the WSC established that the water leaking into the tunnel was "considerably different" from its mains or drainage pipes running in the area.
The corporation also ruled out a borehole near the Fleur-de-Lys roundabout and another in Antonio Miruzzi Street and concluded that it "could be contaminated rain water that is somehow finding its way through fissures above the tunnel".
When contacted yesterday, a spokesman said the case was closed for the corporation, pointing out that it was obvious the problem is linked to rain and therefore not its problem.
Transport Malta did not have an explanation for what is causing the leak either when the problem first developed but said the dripping was more of a "minor inconvenience" rather than a risk to motorists.
Still, the transport authority had said it would consider installing a water catchment system to prevent the leak from spilling over to the road but nothing has been installed so far. Fresh questions sent to the authority about the latest leak have not been answered.
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Lawrence Bonello
Mar 13th 2010, 09:33
Looks like Borg in-Nadur has competitiuon from the Maltese equivalent of Lourdes inside the St Venera tunnels.
Vera pajjiz tal-mirakli dan!!
T.Desira
Mar 13th 2010, 09:18
I am very disappointed to say that in Malta we have the attitude of saying "issa meta jigri xi haga gravi jew ikorru jew imutu xi nies, isir xi haga." I don't know why these people who are involved in taking action for such inconvenieces, take all this time to move on with the work. Instead of working together to ensure the safety of citezens, we are answered with all these silly arguments of 'whose responsibility is it?'
Please Do something before its too late!!
victor pulis
Mar 12th 2010, 15:42
a spokesman said the case was closed for the corporation, pointing out that it was obvious the problem is linked to rain and therefore not its problem.
Well, how about asking God to tell us where the water is coming from since He's in charge of the heavenly water works?
Transport Malta did not have an explanation for what is causing the leak either and said the dripping was more of a "minor inconvenience" rather than a risk to motorists.
After all it's quite normal to have water from an unknown source cascading inside a tunnel!
Why not turn the tunnel into a car wash?!
Eric Gahn
Mar 12th 2010, 14:17
Complaining does nothing. The only way to get the Govt to look seriously into it (this being a huge investment) is by stopping to use it. Easy. And DO NOT forget about it in a few weeks when it gets all sunny and water stops pouring down. Think about it this way: Would you live in a house you know has cracked ceiling?
w.scicluna
Mar 12th 2010, 12:25
Minor inconvenience my foot! Last time it leaked I skidded on my scooter and nearly went into a wall! And I am certain that if that had happened, it would have been another case of ''Hu pacenzja siehbi''. Honestly can't anything in this country be done right?????
Ray Sultana
Mar 12th 2010, 11:46
"consider installing a water catchment system ", inraqqu l-pannu bil qara ahmar
J. Schembri
Mar 12th 2010, 19:12
A water catchment is the best solution , if water has found it's way there ,there is no way of stopping it .
Joseph Galea
Mar 12th 2010, 11:18
What is of greater concern is whether the water flow could adversely affect in any way the structural integrity of the tunnel.