I refer to Pierre Cassar's reply to my letter as manager, corporate communications of Heritage Malta (November 3). I would like to express my sincere disappointment to his reply.

Malta boasts of various examples of historic fountains, like the one mentioned in my letter on October 28.

In fact, as Malta is a warm country, fountains used to be erected to supply water to locals and their horses in many public spaces. Furthermore, fountains were also constructed in the centre of the yards of the majority of auberges and palaces at the time of the knights to give a cooling effect in the hot summer months.

It is indeed a pity that, for some unknown reason, the historic Marsa fountain at Church Wharf was declared not to fall under Heritage Malta's remit. One fails to understand why fountains, as important historical monuments, do not fall under Heritage Malta's remit. Aren't they an essential part of our heritage?

On a more positive note, the area immediately surrounding the fountain was cleared and a wire mesh was erected around it as an attempt to prevent it from further damage.

The fountain, however, is in dire need of restoration and the construction of the top part of its basin, which has been missing for a long time, is a must.