Some 300 people who live in three remote areas around Rabat will finally be linked to the main sewer system after decades making use of private cesspits.

Throughout the years, residents of tal-Landrijiet, is-Salvatur and Ġnien is-Sultan have had to put up with an inconvenient sewer system that saw the cesspit fill up after 10 days.

This system generated traffic because of the number of bowsers required to empty the cesspit, fuel consumption, unpleasant odours, emissions and sewage percolation to the water table.

Water Management Minister Joe Mizzi said a new sewer system will be laid in Rabat, just as had been done in a similar project in Baħrija.

The Rabat project will see the installation of eight kilometres of piping and three pumping stations, designed specifically to take the sewage to ta’ Barkat.

There, it will be treated so that it can be used for irrigation purposes, among others.

A fibre optic communication system installed by the Water Services Corporation in between pumping stations will ensure efficient maintenance and operation.

Mr Mizzi said the project, which he described as an environmental one, will cost some €4 million, mostly funded by the EU. It will take 90 weeks to complete.

It forms part of a larger €130 million WSC project that will, among others, improve the quality of potable water.

Works in the remote Rabat areas are expected to kick off in the coming weeks, as soon as the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage gives its go ahead, considering the archaeological remains in the area.