‘Unbearable stench’ at Pietà
Pietà seafront. Photo: Jason Borg
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.”
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13 Comments
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S.M. Cuschieri
Dec 30th 2012, 21:29
Jaqq!!! Ma naghmlux mod ser nibdew naraw gbejniet hux?? Jghumu fil-wicc?? LOLOL!!! And as for the Pieta council being the laziest...I know of one local council who beats them....the SAN GWANN Council...Hee Hee!!
Charles Caruana
Dec 30th 2012, 18:32
Dennis, you are right. As you said this overflow of white substance had taken place some 20/25 years ago. It was established that this was coming from milk products and there was a blockage in the drain system somewhere in Hamrun. Before blaming someone, first it has to be established what the substance is and from where it is coming.
V Mercieca
Dec 30th 2012, 13:33
A sampling of the water will determine what is causing the white patch and the smell.
James Tyrrell
Dec 30th 2012, 15:26
In the same way as a sample of the famous black dust would easily determine where it was coming from!
Victor Calleja
Dec 30th 2012, 11:49
Is Sindku mohhu fil partit u lelezzjoni bhal issa mela fil bahar
Dennis Zammit
Dec 30th 2012, 11:58
Mela il-Kunsill maghmul mis-Sindku biss !!!
U l-Kunsilliera l-ohra miz-zewg partiti politici ??
Jo Bartolo
Dec 30th 2012, 11:17
lovely ... especially seeing the restaurant right in the middle of it all !
Mauro debattista
Dec 30th 2012, 11:04
I've been living in Pieta for the Past 25 years. We have the laziest local council in Malta. No surprise that no action have been taken.
Dennis Zammit
Dec 30th 2012, 11:56
The laziest Local Council? Your statement is out of proportion.
That's too much for a localilty with few requests. If not mistaken, most of the locaility's roads are well surfaced; even the pavements . . . not to mention the newly surfaced St. Luke's Road.
Regretfully, the stench in Pieta Creek props up every now and again. If you have the solution, then everyone would be pleased to solve it.
Mauro debattista
Dec 30th 2012, 14:30
Hi Sur Dennis, I think you have not been to Pieta' for a while. Apart of St Luke's road which was a misery and has been in that state for ages, which roads where resurfaced recently? When the council was approached by residents due to the disastrous bus service the answer we got; '' dik hemm issa''. The play ground and some pavements where referbished not under this council.
Dennis Zammit
Dec 30th 2012, 15:19
Which roads, according to you, need to be resurfaced again?
Mauro debattista
Dec 30th 2012, 16:50
well should I write a list... Going on to Zammit klabb is horrible with all the enormous pot holes. Hookham Frere, Saint Joseph, Our lady of sorrows, St Gregory, Schinas. The only road resurfaced these last four years was at the Housing estate, which is kind of a drive in for the garages. If you honestly think the roads above are well surfaced please think again. It is just useless to complain.
Dennis Zammit
Dec 30th 2012, 10:07
A few years ago, if not mistaken, the former MMU now Malta Dairy Products had an overflow outlet flowing in Pieta Creek opposite the former boat house.
This overflow was at sea level just below the foot path. If not mistaken, that outlet is still there.
Please choose the reason of your report below: