Reservoir supply suspended until sabotage inquiry is concluded

The water quality at the Fiddien reservoir feeding Rabat, Mdina, Baħrija and Dingli is safe following sabotage on a borehole but the Water Services Corporation cannot use the reservoir until independent tests are carried out.

A number of samples have already been analysed at the WSC laboratories and even sent abroad for more detailed analysis after somebody last week dumped spent engine oil into the borehole equipment right next to the reservoir.

A magisterial inquiry was launched and independent tests requested. In the meantime, WSC has been instructed not to use the Fiddien reservoir water until the inquiry is concluded.

As a result, water is being distributed to several areas of Rabat and Dingli on a schedule of a few hours for each zone. Numerous residents have been complaining about the long water cuts.

Since no specific date for the inquiry’s conclusions has been established, WSC is not in a position to tell households when the water supply will return to normal.

WSC immediately isolated the borehole from the reservoir and informed the health authorities, the Malta Resources Authority and the police.

The Fiddien reservoir, one of Malta’s biggest, was also isolated from the water distribution network as a precaution.

The corporation’s engineers diverted water from other areas to reduce the effect of this sabotage. However, due to the increased pressure required to pump water from further down the primary network, a large water main near Fiddien burst and it took 12 hours to repair.

Last Friday the corporation’s tests confirmed that the Fiddien reservoir water was within the EU Drinking Water Directives parameters.

The WSC regretted the inconvenience and appealed to anyone who may have information concerning this sabotage to contact the police.