In fact, plans to mitigate the problems are in place and involve two phases of implementation.

Phase 1, South transmission infrastructure, involves the upgrading of the Marsa Sewage Pumping Station to a higher capacity, replacement of the existing pressure mains and the construction of a new 4.7km gallery from Paola to Wied Ghammieq.

This project will eliminate sewage overflows, particularly during wet weather, experienced in Paola, ll-Menqa tal-Marsa and the Three Cities. The WSC has submitted an application for the utilisation of EU Structural funds on the project in March 2004. Phase 1 is scheduled for completion by the end of 2006.

Phase 2 would involve the building of a Sewage Treatment Plant. The WSC is currently updating the 1992 Master Plan design basis before submitting an EIA and an application for the largest urban waste water treatment plant earmarked for completion by the second quarter of 2007.

Phase 2 will address and bring to an end the existing raw sewage discharge to the Xghajra coast, amounting to an estimated 40,000 cubic metres of raw sewage per day. The estimated investment is calculated at Lm26 million.

The plan aims to eliminate the problem by the end of 2007 which is the established deadline negotiated by Malta to meet the EU Urban Waste Water Directive (91/271/EEC), the corporation said.