I refer to the letter entitled Serious Rain Health Hazard (September 13). I would like to inform the correspondent that, after every storm, the Balzan local council workers clean up all the manholes situated in Balzan Valley from the debris left over and that, on a scheduled basis, every Tuesday and Friday, the street is cleaned up by our contractor.

While the council agrees that raw sewage is a health hazard, the problem originates from outside the confines of Balzan and, unfortunately, impinges on Balzan Valley and Dr Zammit Street. Hopefully, on completion of the national flood relief project, this problem will have been resolved.

Please note that development over the years in Mosta, Naxxar and Iklin has overloaded the drainage system, especially with regard to roof rainwater being illegally connected to the drainage system.