The police and Malta Resources Authority officials last night stopped the illegal drilling of a borehole in the limits of Mosta, the Resources Ministry said.
The action came days after the ministry complained that groundwatrer extraction was well above sustainable limits, and no more drilling of boreholes was being allowed.
“Similar enforcement will be going on day and night and steps are being taken to stop such abuse” the Resources Ministry said this afternoon.
It pointed out that anyone who drills a borehole without an MRA permit is liable to a minimum fine of between €20,000 and €50,000 as well as the confiscation of the equipment used for drilling.
The Authority has established hotline 80072223 for reports of illegal drilling.