Readers have reported an “unbearable stench” lingering over the Hay Wharf area at Pietà over the past four weeks.

Apart from the persisting smell, a dense, milky white patch has been slowly spreading in the sea.

“The stench is absolutely unbearable – we’ve been reporting matters to the local council for weeks now but no action has been taken,” Pietà resident Alfred Vella told The Sunday Times.

“Recently, the sea along the coast has been becoming increasingly murky, as if it’s being filled with construction debris.”

Pietà mayor Malcolm Mifsud said he was aware of the situation and that the council was “currently looking into it”.

“We have passed on the complaints to the Health Department but we haven’t received any feedback yet.

“Some residents have also voiced their suspicions that Malta Dairy Products Limited might have been dumping its waste in the vicinity. But we haven’t been in touch as yet since it’s the festive season.”

When contacted, Malta Dairy Products Limited company secretary Martin Grech said he was not aware of the problem.

“Any material which resurfaces at the Hay Wharf area is probably flowing out of a culvert used to drain rainwater. We don’t dump our waste in the open where it drains down culverts. Our waste goes through the normal sewage route.

“However, if the actual sewage pipes are broken and in need of repair, that’s another story. About a year ago, underground sewage pipes in Ħamrun had cracked. We had fixed the pipes directly below our factory while the Government had repaired the rest. We were not aware of any current leaks, though.”