The Planning Authority board has unanimously approved the building of a reverse osmosis plant in Gozo on the site of the long-closed seawater distilling station at Ħondoq, making the sister island self-sufficient for its water supply.

During a hearing on Thursday, the PA board agreed to raise the planning gain for the project to €58,000. Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg, who argued in favour of the increase, told Times of Malta he saw the project's necessity and was satisfied that it would not cause problems to the area, but nevertheless felt the locality should get something back.

The board also approved the building of a tunnel to link Pembroke reverse osmosis plant to Ta' Qali reservoir to facilitate the distribution of water. Work will start within weeks. 

The  9.5 kilometre, three-metre wide tunnel will take 30 months to complete.

The Water Services Corporation said it had received 10 bids from four contractors for the building of the RO plant  The adjudication process will be held over the next few days.

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