Works on the long-awaited pumping station in Għarb that will put an end to the last raw sewage outfall on Gozo should be completed in six months.

The outfall is in Wied il-Mielaħ, a picturesque valley under the Ta' Pinu Sanctuary that stretches for 2.3 kilometres towards the coastal cliffs on the western part of the sister island.

The spot has been ruined by the raw sewage that seeps into the scenic valley and then into the sea. Only last week, a reader sent in a photo showing tourists having had to step away from the valley bed because of the sewage overflowing just 100 metres from the natural stone arch that lies at the end of the valley, similar to Dwejra's.

The island's other three sewage outfalls, in San Blas, Wied l-Għasri and Mġarr ix-Xini, were sealed off after a €7.2 million sewage plant was opened in 2008 at Ras il-Ħobż. However, Għarb is still to be connected.

When it is, the Wied il-Mielaħ pumping station will transfer sewage to the new treatment plant. Works have started and should be completed in around six months, a Water Services Corporation spokesman said.

The unsightly situation has been highlighted by environmental organisations and residents for a number of years.

The locality will get a boost and clean-up because just two weeks ago, the Għarb council was granted €570,000 of EU funds to rehabilitate the area.

The money will be spent on the second phase of a project which started with a clean-up of the valley and restoration of some field walls.

The project will include rebuilding field walls and bridges, resurfacing of roads for country walks and the installation of solar-powered security cameras to deter vandalism.