The reason behind the outflow of sewage into the sea at Ras il-Qammieħ, better known as iċ-Ċumnija area, was an abnormal spike of sewage despite the waste plant operating at designed capacity, a spokesperson for the Water Services Corporation (WSC) told The Malta Independent.
On Monday, Ivan Castillo, a councillor at the Mellieħa Local Council, shared a complaint he received from a resident regarding a large masses of contamination in the sea at Ras il-Qammieħ, as the photo attached clearly depicts.
“UNACCEPTABLE!!!” the post read, “Is the sewage treatment plant WORKING? Is drainage being poured into the sea? Is it coping with demand? If NOT is this going to be common occurrence?”
Castillo explained that this area, better known as ic-Ċumnija, is a gem which is enjoyed by many and called for all respective authorities and regulating bodies to take note as “doing nothing is not an option.”
Notably, residents who frequent the place flooded the comment section of Castillo’s post with further complaints about the odour that surrounds the area due to this leakage. Some also expressed their disappointment over the fact that this has become a common occurrence in Malta, blaming it on faulty or outdated infrastructure.
The Malta Independent contacted the WSC to see if this issue has been brought to their attention and if the Corporation is addressing it.
“Yes, the WSC received reports of this incident,” a spokesperson for the Corporation said. “Initial findings indicate an abnormal peak of sewage that was not catered for, despite the plant operating at designed capacity. This incident led to the sewage outflow indicated.”
They said that the WSC is committed to upgrading its plants, pointing out that they have reached the final stages of upgrading the wastewater treatment plant at San Antnin in order to meet the exponential rise in demand for such services.
“Future plans also include the north area with the scope of meeting the current and future demand and maintain our performance in bathing water quality,” they added.