MEPA set to approve storm water plan

The MEPA board will be meeting on Friday to decide this application.

The project will not cater for greater storms which occur every ten, twenty, fifty or a hundred years but it could reduce their impact.

The tunnel varies in width from approximately 2m to 5m and is expected to be completed in two years. Most of the works will be carried out at a depth of 25m. The shallowest depth excluding the entrances is approximately 8m below ground level and the deepest is approximately 52m.

The project will have seven main shafts that are strategically located near the main tunnel. These shafts will serve as the entrance and exit to the tunnel both during the construction and operation of the tunnel.

During operations, the proposed tunnels will remove at substantially faster rates than at present, storm water runoff from flood prone areas. But the runoff will be contaminated by a variety of substances, including sewage from overflows caused by the illegal connection of storm water drain pipes of an as yet unquantified number of buildings with the sewerage network.

Impact on Ta’Xbiex coast

Various objectors from Ta’ Xbiex have expressed concern on the impact of the project on water quality in Marsamxett.

But experts have concluded the harbour will not be receiving more rain water run-off than it is receiving to date. The only  difference will be that the runoff will be concentrated in one location. The EIA has also concluded that the project will result in the improvement of water quality status in Msida, Pieta and Marsa.

But it acknowledged an increase in contaminants released into the mid- Marsamxettt area  which are currently released in the Marsamxett Harbour and Marsa.

But since the mid- Marsamxett area has a higher level of circulation and of dispersion than the inner, shallower and semi-enclosed creeks of Msida, Pieta and Marsa the new system will represent a holistic improvement.

The  proposed system also  includes first flush treatments plants installed

along the whole route and designed to remove hydro-carbons and grit from the run off water. This will minimise the amount of grit that will overflow into the harbour.

But the case officer also notes that Transport Malta’s proposal for breakwaters in Ta’Xbiex and Msida to accommodate a yacht marina near the Excelsior hotel will have to be  “eventually be evaluated with the quality of the Marine environment in mind”.

The report points out that the proposed system will discharge large amounts of stormwater into the harbour only during major storms “which are not exactly an everyday occurrence in Malta”.

Given that most of the infrastructure associated with this proposed development is located underground, the only structure of concern with regards to landscape and visual amenity was the outfall structure located at the proposed discharge point at Ta’ Xbiex. This structure was proposed and designed to mitigate the impact of the high velocity discharge run-off on the water quality of the port. Nevertheless, the structure itself would affect the character and visual amenity of the Ix-Xatt ta’ Ta’ Xbiex area, and also the character of the coast.

Water conservation

Another objection against the project is that it will not contribute significantly for the conservation and re-use of run off water as envisioned in the original storm water management plan approved in September 2003. 

Following a report drawn by the Israeli consultants Tahal the water conservation measures were scaled down as it was economically unfeasible to carry out such project.

But experts have concluded that the issue of water storage should be tackled at source prior to the deposition of water onto the public highway.

“The general public should be made aware that the storage should be at every household (as required by law) and action against those connected to the public sewer should be pursued as most of this water is being contaminated by sewage which could easily be avoided and damages reduced”.

The excavation works will create 350,000 cubic metres of inert waste. The tunnel system is also expected to attract vermin. But regular maintenance of tunnels should eliminate this problem.

The Tunnel will pass under the following roads Zebbug Road, Triq in-Nutar Zarb, Triq Mdina,Vjal De Paul,Triq Kardinal Cardjin Triq Birbal, Vallet Road, Naxxar Road Triq Dun Gejtanu Mannarino,Triq l-Imsida,Triq iz-Zerniq,Triq tal-Qattus,Triq Dun Karm, Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli,Triq il-Qasab, Triq il-Mosta, Triq l-Isqof Caruana and under private property in Ta' Xbiex.