It was good to hear last week that the quality of Malta’s bathing waters as well as the way they are being monitored is shown to have improved dramatically over what happened in 2005.

Last year, the European Commission had issued a scathing attack on Malta for the way the country’s bathing waters were being tested in 2005. It seems that the lesson was learnt because, in 2006, there was a general improvement, as could be seen by the report that was issued late last month. It is hoped that the same thing will happen this year too.

For one thing, 96.6 per cent of Malta’s 87 designated coastal bathing areas complied with mandatory water quality values in 2006, up from just 56.4 per cent a year earlier. Added to this, 83.9 per cent complied with the more stringent guide values as compared to just 50 per cent in 2005.

Of course, in 2005 we had the “excuse” that such inspections were being carried out for the first time under the strict EC regulations. But after having received such a bad report, the local authorities pulled their socks up and did much better in the second year.

Coming at a time when the summer season is about to start – schools will close at the end of this month and, as the temperatures rise, more and more people will start making their way to the beaches – such a report is most welcome.

In fact, it is apparent that the bad report that was issued for the 2005 season pushed the authorities into taking the matter more seriously. In that year, 44 of the 87 sites were not monitored properly, a matter that was rectified last year when all the sites in question got the attention that was required.

Only three areas – Triq is-Salini in Marsascala, Mellieha Bay opposite Tunny Net, and Mistra Bay near the jetty – were found to be not compliant with EU mandatory rules in 2006, down from six the previous year. The latter were Sliema’s Exiles and Ghar id-Dud beaches, the left-hand side of St George’s Bay, the right-hand side of Xlendi Bay, the area near the Marsascala waterpolo pitch, and the beach at the bottom of Wilga Street in Paceville, all of which appear to have undergone significant environmental improvements to get the green light.

Actually, St George’s Bay made a great jump in terms of “quality”. Part of it was red-listed in 2005, but only a few days ago the same beach was given the Blue Flag status, with water quality being one of the most important criteria for such an award to be issued.

All this does not mean that we can rest on our laurels. If anything, it should encourage the authorities to build on this achievement.

The EC report also refers to the possibility that the quality of Malta’s bathing waters will actually be improved when the three new sewage treatment plants, one in the north, one in the south and the third in Gozo, will be built at a cost of EUR73 million to comply with the Urban Waste Water Directive.

We all know how important Malta’s sea is for our own entertainment and for economic purposes too, considering that many tourists come over in summer and spend most of their time on the beach. It is therefore imperative for us to take care of it, as one bad season could inflict heavy damage on our image abroad.

The authorities should keep their eyes and ears open, and should also take immediate remedial action if there are any reports of sewage seeping into the sea, especially in those areas that are frequented by bathers all through the summer.