Sewage overflows in bays due to government's lack of planning, PN says

The Nationalist Party on Tuesday said that the sewage overflow onto several bays across the island is due to government’s lack of planning and investment in sewage systems.PN MPs Ryan Callus, Rebekah Borg and Mario De Marco said in a statement

By: independent.com.mt

Jul 16 2024
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Sewage overflows in bays due t

The Nationalist Party on Tuesday said that the sewage overflow onto several bays across the island is due to government’s lack of planning and investment in sewage systems.

PN MPs Ryan Callus, Rebekah Borg and Mario De Marco said in a statement that this is leading to the collapse in upkeeping of Maltese bays and sea.

“The Maltese people and all those who visit these islands deserve a clean sea and environment,” the PN said, adding that it is unacceptable that government has failed to invest in sewage systems after the PN had invested when in government, resulting in several beaches being closed this summer due to sewage overflows.

They emphasized that it is not acceptable for beaches to remain contaminated a month and a half after being closed due to sewage issues.

The PN reiterated that Prime Minister Robert Abela’s government is doing nothing to address the sewage problem in Maltese waters, which is dangerous and can cause serious illnesses and infections for humans, in addition to the damage to the marine ecosystem.

It said that what is happening in Maltese beaches is also the result of a flawed economic model and a government that “is a disappointment to the people, a government lacking in all decency.”

The PN also spoke of the recent situation at Balluta Bay in St. Julian’s, where the sea turned green, and said that even a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said that the water was contaminated due to sewage overflow.

“The bay has been closed for a month and a half, with detrimental effects on the sea, smells, and the image we are projecting to tourists. The joint statement from both the ERA and the Environmental Health Department starkly contrasts with the circumstances many have experienced,” the PN said.

It continued that ERA’s and the department’s statement, which claims that the green colour in the bay is due to ‘algal blooms’ caused by heat and temperature changes, makes one think.

“This is apart from omitting details about what triggers algae in the bays, where the three elements that support this growth are sunlight, increased temperature, and nutrients from particles found in sewage,” the PN said.

The Nationalist Party questioned whether this is happening because the system cannot cope with the exaggerated increase in population.

“Whatever the reason, the Maltese and Gozitan people deserve an explanation. The people also deserve a clear and serious plan from government to address this situation,” the PN said.

“It is unacceptable that in the height of summer, Maltese and Gozitans and all those who visit us cannot enjoy and relax on their preferred beaches because the government is unable to address a problem it created itself,” the PN said.

It continued that what is happening to Malta’s beaches is also undermining the investment being made in tourism by many entrepreneurs, because the image of the country is being tarnished by the picture of a polluted sea and sewage.

The PN said that a PN government would see to it that the necessary investment is made immediately, so that the country’s infrastructure can withstand the current demand, that the Maltese environment is protected, and that seas and beaches can be enjoyed not only during the summer season, but throughout the whole year.