Il-proġetti tal-ilma ta’ Malta jiksbu tifħir mill-Kummissarju Ewropew għall-Ambjent
Il-Kummissarju Ewropew Jessika Roswall, responsabbli mill-Ambjent, ir-Reżiljenza tal-Ilma u l-Ekonomija Ċirkolari Kompetittiva, faħħret l-investiment li Malta qed tagħmel fl-infrastruttura tal-ilma u rrikonoxxiet l-innovazzjoni tal-pajjiż fl-immaniġġjar ta’ din ir-riżorsa.
“Huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon li tara kif diversi sistemi tal-immaniġġjar tal-ilma qed jingħaqdu flimkien biex jindirizzaw il-ħtiġijiet tal-pajjiż. Dan huwa aspett importanti kemm għall-Maltin kif ukoll għall-Ewropa, billi rridu nżidu l-isforzi tagħna flimkien biex ninvestu fir-reżiljenza tal-ilma,” qalet il-Kummissarju.
Akkumpanjata mill-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Indafa Pubblika Miriam Dalli u mill-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma Karl Cilia, il-Kummissarju Roswall żaret diversi investimenti li Malta qed twettaq fl-infrastruttura tal-ilma u tad-drenaġġ, f’konformità mal-prijoritajiet tal-Istrateġija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għar-Reżiljenza tal-Ilma.
“B’investiment ta’ aktar minn €370 miljun, il-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma qed tħejji lil pajjiżna għall-isfidi tal-futur, b’appoġġ parzjali minn fondi tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Flimkien mal-Kummissarju Ewropew għall-Ambjent iddiskutejna kif nistgħu nkomplu nsaħħu r-reżiljenza tas-settur tal-ilma. Din hija t-triq li rridu nkomplu nimxu fuqha, għax nemmen bis-sħiħ li pajjiżna jista’ jkun ta’ eżempju għal oħrajn,” qalet il-Ministru Dalli.
Fl-Impjant tat-Trattament tad-Drenaġġ taċ-Ċumnija fil-Mellieħa, ġie spjegat kif investiment ta’ €33.15 miljun se jintuża biex jiġi mmodernizzat dan l-impjant. Il-proġett jinsab fl-istadju tad-disinn, bil-kostruzzjoni mistennija tibda fix-xhur li ġejjin, u se jwassal għal operat aktar nadif, aktar kwiet u aktar effiċjenti.
Il-Kummissarju Roswall żaret ukoll il-mini taħt l-art tal-ilma tal-pjan Ta’ Bakkja, assi tal-ilma importanti ħafna f’Malta. Din is-sistema ta’ mini tinsab madwar 100 metru taħt l-art u fiha aċċess għal sitt mini tal-ilma.
Minn dawn il-mini, il-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma tiġbor madwar 6% tal-ilma tal-pjan, li mbagħad jitħallat mal-ilma tar-reverse osmosis qabel jasal għand il-konsumaturi madwar il-Gżejjer Maltin. Din iż-żjara enfasizzat il-valur strateġiku fit-tul tas-sistema naturali tal- aquifer ta’ Malta u l-impenn biex din ir-riżorsa tiġi protetta u mmaniġġjata b’mod sostenibbli.
Fl-Impjant tar-Reverse Osmosis ta’ Għar Lapsi, il-Kummissarju żaret ukoll l-installazzjoni solari li ġiet ikkummissjonata reċentement u li issa qed tikkontribwixxi għall-operat ta’ dan l-impjant. Dan il-proġett ta’ €600,000, iffinanzjat permezz ta’ Green Bonds, jkopri spazju ta’ 3,300 metru kwadru u jinkludi 888 pannella fotovoltajka b’kapaċità totali ta’ 515 kWp.
Malta’s water projects draw praise from the EU’s Environment Commissioner
European Commissioner Jessika Roswall, who is responsible for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, commended Malta’s investments in water infrastructure, acknowledging the island’s innovation in water management.
“It was a great opportunity to see how different types of water management come together and address the water demands of the island. This link is important for the Maltese and for Europe, as we have to step up our endeavours together to invest in water resilience,” the Commissioner said.
Accompanied by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli and Water Services Corporation CEO Karl Cilia, Commissioner Roswall toured a number of investments Malta is making in water and wastewater infrastructure, aligned with the priorities of the EU Water Resilience Strategy.
“With an investment of over €370 million, the Water Services Corporation is planning to prepare our country for the future—supported in part by European Union funds. Together with the European Commissioner for the Environment, we discussed how to ensure that the water sector becomes more resilient. This is the path we must continue to follow, because I firmly believe that this small island can serve as an example to many others,” Minister Dalli said.
At the Ċumnija Sewage Treatment Plant in Mellieħa, the WSC explained how a €33.15 million investment is in the process to upgrade the plant. The project is now advancing through its design phase, with construction set to commence in the coming months. The project will ensure cleaner, quieter, and more efficient operations at Iċ-Ċumnija.
Commissioner Roswall also visited the Ta’ Bakkja groundwater gallery, one of Malta’s most significant and least visible water assets. Situated at approximately 100 metres below ground level, the gallery system serves as a gateway to six intricate water tunnels.
From these tunnels, WSC picks up around six percent of all groundwater, which is then mixed with reverse osmosis water before being delivered to consumers across the Maltese Islands. The visit highlighted the enduring strategic value of Malta’s natural aquifer system and WSC’s commitment to protecting and sustainably managing this resource.
At the Għar Lapsi Reverse Osmosis Plant, where Commissioner Roswall was shown the recently commissioned solar installation that now powers part of the plant’s operations. The €600,000 project, financed through Green Bonds, covers a roof area of 3,300 square metres and comprises 888 photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of 515 kWp.