The "oil leak" referred to by the Marsa local council earlier this week originated from oil that had seeped into the ground following a leak in a pipeline in the early 1990s, Enemalta Corporation said yesterday.

The broken pipeline was discovered at that time, repaired and replaced. However, a minimal amount of oil was absorbed by the rocks, the corporation added.

The corporation was reacting to criticism by Marsa mayor Francis Debono earlier this week who said that roadworks along the Marsa waterfront were delayed for five months because of an oil leak.

The oil was discovered when roadworks began in early March, close to the Marsa Regatta Club, about 200 metres from the Marsa power station.

The corporation said that in February, while works were being carried out at the regatta club slipway, a small amount of oil seeped into the sea. Enemalta took immediate action and contracted a private contractor to clean the oil spill and to investigate the source.

The Malta Maritime Authority and Mepa were immediately informed and officials from both authorities supervised operations. Enemalta said the pipeline has not been used since then. It has been flushed and does not contain oil.

Only after confirming that the source of the oil was not a leak in a pipeline but the result of an old leak in the 1990s and after discussing the matter with the Marsa local council did Enemalta issue permission to resurface the slipway and surrounding area, the corporation said.

Enemalta categorically denied that there has been a leak in a pipeline and that this leak has just been patched up as stated by the Marsa mayor.

The corporation added that it did everything possible to contain the seepage of oil and tried to cause minimal inconvenience to Marsa residents.