Bugibba waters polluted after workers rinse off paint brushes in sea

The police have been asked to investigate two environment ministry employees, who were caught in the act of dumping blue paint into the sea by Bugibba.

The men – employees of the PARKS directorate responsible for the upkeep of national parks and public spaces – had been painting the ground at the Bugibba water park. However, they were caught in the act of rinsing the paint roller in the sea, which could be seen turning a bright shade of blue.

“Government men at work on the Bugibba water park this morning,” the passer-by who posted the image to a Facebook group for St Paul’s Bay resident said. “The sea is blue, so no harm in rinsing my paint brush with blue paint on the beach, right?”

Environment minister Jose Herrera said that he has instructed PARKS director Herman Galea to report the men to the police and subject them to disciplinary action.

St Paul’s Bay mayor Graziella Galea similarly said that she reported the incident to the PARKS director, who informed her that the workers were identified and that “necessary action” will be taken.

“Though the sea does not fall under the direct responsibility of the local council, I believe that we should all be responsible for the common good,” she said.