Sewage to be treated and re-used by 2016

As part of its national water management policy, for the first time, Malta will make use of its wastewater, Sunday newspaper Illum reveals.

The construction of three polishing plants in the coming months will mean that Malta would be in a position to re-use waste water in early 2016 for agricultural and landscaping purposes.

Illum reports that as part of its national water management policy, the government plans to build the polishing plants near existing water treatment plants in Ta’ Barkat (Xgħajra), Ras il-Ħobż (Għajnsielem Gozo) and Taċ-Ċumnija (Mellieha).

“The three polishing plants will start operating in the first half of 2016. This second class water will be mainly used for agriculture, landscaping, recreation and industrial purposes,” a spokesperson for the Energy ministry told the newspaper.

Currently, Malta treats all its wastewater before it discharges it to sea, as requested by European law. With the construction of the polishing plants, Malta would go a step further and re-utilise the purified water as second-class water.

Illum is informed the project will cost around €19 million but 85% of the total cost will be covered by EU funds.

Read more in today’s edition of Illum.