Wasterserv this afternoon ruled out any health and safety issues in relation to the mechanical failure of one of its hydrolyser tanks at the Marsascala waste treatment plant and distanced itself from the decision taken by the government to close the adjacent family park.

Speaking to the press, the company’s CEO, Ing Jonathan Scerri said that although the mechanical failure happened in April, “at no point in time did we have any information that emissions from the hydrolyser posed any type of health and safety danger.”

Asked whether the hydrolyser had any bearing on the government’s decision to close the park, Mr Scerri said that the decision was taken by the government and according to Wasteserv, the damage of the hydrolyser never posed any risks.

“For us there was absolutely no link between the hydrolyser and the closure of the family park,” he said.

Mr Scerri’s declaration contrasts with the reason given by Environment Minister Leo Brincat to justify the closure of the park. The minister had said that he decided to shut the park because of emissions from Wasteserv’s plant.

Mr Brincat, who was lambasted over the park’s closure by the Opposition, had said that he based his decision on a technical report he commissioned and which recommended that the park should be kept closed until the hydrolyser was repaired.

Two days ago the minister admitted that on-site air quality readings revealed no problems. He said the Family Park would reopen in a matter of days.

Asked if there were any risks if the park reopened tomorrow, he said: “there is no relation between the hydroliser and the reopening of the park."