Only 2 of 25 complaints about odours in Paola linked to incinerator, ERA CEO says
Only two of 25 complaints about odours in the Paola area were linked to the incinerator, Environment and Resources Authority CEO Kevin Mercieca said.In an interview with this media house, the first part of which was published yesterday, Mercieca was
Only two of 25 complaints about odours in the Paola area were linked to the incinerator, Environment and Resources Authority CEO Kevin Mercieca said.
In an interview with this media house, the first part of which was published yesterday, Mercieca was asked about concerns raised by residents of Paola over what they claim are "toxic emissions" and foul odours being emitted by the Thermal Treatment Facility in Marsa.
Through a residents' google form, in just a month-and-a-half, 101 reports of unbearable odours were submitted on the form, with at least 35 residents calling ERA directly to report the issue.
Mercieca confirmed ERA is aware of the concerns and has investigated 25 specific complaints about odours from the Marsa incinerator.
"Only two of these were linked to the facility," he said, explaining that other reports involved fuel smells or illegal waste burning.
Responding to claims of odours resembling burning animal carcasses, Mercieca noted that several complaints were filed during a two-week shutdown of the incinerator.
"Officers regularly inspect the facility and any operational issues are promptly addressed," he said.
One ongoing issue, Mercieca added, is the illegal burning of waste in the area. "When offenders are caught, significant fines are issued," he said, revealing that 18 administrative fines totalling €23,000 were imposed over the past year.
"However, tracking these activities remains challenging," he said, highlighting the difficulty of pinpointing odour sources, as assumptions by residents often turn out to be incorrect.
"It does not mean there are no odours, but they might come from a different source. Often, it involves the illegal burning of waste," he said, adding that residents' guidance is often critical in identifying offenders.
The government's plans to relocate the Marsa incinerator to a new facility in Magħtab, as part of its Waste Management Strategy, are still in effect, he said.
Mercieca said ERA will conduct a transparent consultation process once the full application is submitted. "The new waste-to-energy incinerator has already undergone an environmental impact assessment and been permitted under EIA regulations," he confirmed.
Mercieca spoke about ERA's achievements and ongoing commitment to environmental protection, with consistent efforts to secure additional resources.
"ERA is a serious entity, which takes its responsibilities seriously and takes measured and consistent action," he said, adding that decisions are made based on knowledge, science and the vast experience its workers have on the subject.
"We have many people who have great experience on how to identify environmental impacts and how they can be mitigated. We do this with the interest of looking out for our primary client, which is the environment, and the well-being of present and future generations," Mercieca said.
The first part of the interview was carried yesterday
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