Angry residents have called The Malta Independent, complaining that after temporarily repairing the pipes – stopping them from over-flowing into the street – drainage department workers left the job half done with the sewers uncovered.

“For safety,” a rusty 45-gallon tank was placed over the hole in the road, supposedly to warn drivers and passers by, of the open sewers. Residents told TMID that the workers informed them the work will continue next week when the department resumes its functions after shutdown.

The drainage is also seeping into the walls beneath the road, where there are a number of

seaside boathouses. Many of

the families staying at the boathouses have to prepare their food a few metres from the seeped filth.

“It is outrageous that the sewers were left uncovered,” a resident told TMID. “I have guests over for lunch and I am ashamed because of the smells.”

Another resident complained that they have to keep their bedroom doors shut all the time because of the bad odours. “This is the time of the year when the place is used most,” the same person complained.

TMID contacted the drainage department on 2124-7236, and got no answer, not even an answering machine. TMID also called the Water Services Corporation (WSC), of which the drainage department forms part at around 3.45pm.

Both organisations are presently working half days and the telephone number called at the WSC, 2124-9851, automatically relays to the security guard’s office. The security guard on duty passed TMID on to the “control room,” but no information on the matter could be obtained.

TMID was eventually passed on to the CEO’s office. Secretary Isabelle Deguara was there coincidentally, as she was working overtime.

“Not one of our departments closes on shut down,” Ms Deguara said. “Unfortunately I cannot check your query now because we are on half days. However I will do so first thing tomorrow morning,” she added after we gave her the details of the case in Xemxija.

Asked whether there was a number one could call in case of there was an emergency regarding a sewage fault, Ms Deguara gave the company’s emergency freephone number 8007-2357. However no one answered

when we dialled the

number several times during the afternoon.