Farmers have received €86,383 in compensation for their decimated harvest after sewage leaked into the water table when the treatment plant in Mellieħa started operations in October 2008.

The Sunday Times first highlighted the issue last April, when an investigation into a sewage leak from the plant at Iċ-Ċumnija brought to the fore the plight of farmers in the area.

Their fields extend from Għadira road all the way back to the sea and cover the entire valley. At the time of the sewage leak, the fields were planted with artichokes, garlic, carrots, broad beans, tomatoes, turnips and cauliflower, among other produce.

The problem was caused by a defective deep sewer connection which caused the farmers to lose their entire income for the season. When the sewage seeped into the boreholes, the authorities sealed them and destroyed all the crops. Farmers could not start replanting for seven months.

The farmers had been promised compensation for their losses, but were not told how much or when they would be paid. Last December, The Sunday Times reported the issue again after seven farmers in the area complained they had not been paid even though more than a year had passed.

The €86,383 in compensation received last week was shared between several farmers in the area. Full-time farmer Joe Borg called The Sunday Times after he received the cheque.

"We are satisfied with the amounts received. It would have taken much longer if you hadn't given us a voice," he said. The compensation was withdrawn from funds owed to the contractor responsible for the building of the sewage treatment plant, according to the Infrastructure Ministry. The plant was developed by Polidano Group and IBI Idrobioimpianti Spa. Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said the area, including the water sources, were extensively cleaned by the Water Services Corporation.