The Department of Information issued the statement in reply to the Birzebbuga mayor’s request to clarify exactly which parts have been deemed fit for bathing.

The Health Department said that samples were taken from six sites around Birzebbuga Bay. The samples were taken every day for nine weeks, including the day before yesterday. All results show that there was no contamination. The Health Department said that three years ago a decision was taken to have harbour areas declared no fit for bathing. Birzebbuga has one such area, from near a small chapel in Birzebbuga Road to small quay in Triq Dawret il-Qalb Mqaddsa. The Health Department said such zones were declared unfit for bathing because of lack of water circulation and not sewage pollution.

The Department said the Birzebbuga Council received regular reports of the results of tests and also added the council never once lodged a complaint about a sewage leak.