Corporation refuses to disclose name of company that illegally discharged waste oils in Marsa drainage system, leading to Hexagon House evacuation
James Debono The Water Services Corporation is refusing to reveal the source of the person responsible for an illegal discharge into the drainage system in Marsa, which could be the reason for the foul odours which last year led to the evacuation of Hexagon House – seat of the Environment Protection Department at MEPA.
The evacuation, originally blamed by management on sabotage by MEPA employees, was caused by the release of hydrogen sulphide from the drainage system.
The existence of an illegal discharge was confirmed in parliament by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who refused to release the name of the company responsible.
The Prime Minister claimed that MEPA had sent all the evidence it possessed on this case to the Water Services Corporation so that it could initiate legal action as the entity responsible.
But for the past three weeks the Water Services Corporation has refused to answer MaltaToday’s questions on who was responsible for the discharge and what steps have been taken against him.
Labour shadow minister for the environment Leo Brincat declared that one of the major causes of the stench was bad practice on the part of the company which makes use of waste oils. Brincat claims the company has developed an illegal connection to the sewers and the nearby culverts to dump their waste.
Brincat has also asked the Prime Minister whether “political pressure” was exercised to stop action against the company after it was identified as the source of the illegal discharge.
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
Download front page in pdf file format
All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.
