The Water Services Corporation said Friday it is committed to making the most environmentally responsible choices while extending the sewage treatment plant at Ċumnija, Mellieħa, ensuring the implementation of this crucial national sewage treatment project.
WSC said it has opted for a technology that requires a higher investment but ensures the least amount of land use possible. The €33 million project will also increase the production of New Water, benefiting hundreds of farmers in the northern region of the country.
Most of these farmers are already connected to the New Water system and will have even more water available thanks to this initiative. This investment is part of the national investment plan of €310 million, co-financed by the EU.
The Ċumnija plant was built in 2008, and since an increase in sewage treatment capacity is needed, an expansion of the existing facility is required. This approach also helps to limit the amount of land needed. The plant's treatment capacity will more than double. New Water production will increase by 8,000 cubic meters per day. These details were discussed earlier today in a meeting between the Corporation's management and representatives of the Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi.
The Corporation has also extended an invitation to the Mellieħa Local Council. During the meeting, the need for and benefits of this project, including environmental advantages, were explained. It was also highlighted that the location of the plant posed several limitations on where the expansion could take place. Throughout the process, various environmental regulations and related procedures were considered and followed.
WSC CEO Karl Cilia emphasized the Corporation's commitment to executing this project sustainably. "To ensure that the least amount of agricultural land is required, WSC has chosen to use Membrane Biological Reactor (MBR) technology for the expansion. By using this technology, the current 12,000 sq.m plant will be expanded by approximately 6,500 sq.m. This means that while the plant's treatment capacity will double, the plant's footprint will not need to double in size-precisely because of WSC's choice to adopt MBR technology," the CEO said.
"It is worth noting that the use of MBR technology is advantageous, as it is a compact solution requiring less land, is cleaner, and produces less sludge. It also eliminates an intermediate processing stage in the production of New Water," the CEO added.
This plant is connected to kilometres of sewage pipe networks that have been upgraded over the years. It is also linked to the New Water network that supplies the northern part of the country. The area selected for the expansion was chosen in full consultation with the relevant authorities, including the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), ensuring that the expansion has the least possible environmental impact and minimal disruption to highly protected areas.
According to information obtained by WSC from the Lands Authority, only 1,400 square meters of the 6,500 square meters designated for the expansion are currently being used for agricultural purposes. This land is owned by two individuals, while the remaining area is government-owned.