Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1108702
11 LAST week in the sister island of Gozo, we celebrated long months of hard work with an excellent achievement, with the Water Services Corpora- tion's showcase EU-funded water project having been of- ficially approved. The project is a multi-facet- ed €130 million upgrading ex- ercise that will improve water quality all over the Maltese Islands. This project was not only fast tracked for approval by EU institutions, but it is also being regarded as a blue- print in the water sector. Let us not forget where we started. I still remember one of the first meetings where I insisted with the management of the Corporation that the project should be given top priority. We asked for a project based on the highest environmental standards, improving the ser- vice and product delivered to the public reaching better en- ergy efficiency and safeguard- ing the water table. I must admit that I am now delighted that my direction was followed to the word. We also need to recall the tremendous amount of pro- ject preparation work. This included projections up to 2050, detailed cost benefit analysis, and extensive envi- ronmental studies. Officers within the Water Services Corporation worked relentlessly towards the com- pletion of these complex studies. I would like to thank them for this work and also thank Jaspers – the EU Commis- sion's consultants for their great input. I've personally met Jaspers on a number of times and I fully acknowledge that their contribution brought impres- sive added value to the pro- ject. The €11million Hondoq Re- verse Osmosis plant, which will deliver 9,000 cubic meters of high quality water a day to Gozo, has already had its six sea-water-intake 100me- tre deep wells executed, and work is now underway on the sub seabed outfall. The RO machinery is be- ing produced and renovation works on the building will start within days in May. The €33million Pembroke/ Ta' Qali tunnel, which will improve efficiency and water quality in Malta, is also pro- gressing with multiple drilling machines working on differ- ent sections of the tunnel. The €11million potable wa- ter extension in the outskirts of Qrendi and Siggiewi is at an advanced stage and within a few months entire sections of this project will start being put on line. Sewage improvements are being implemented with works having this month started on 1.2metre diameter pipe upgrades in the central area of Malta and horizontal direction drilling is progress- ing in the Dingli Rabat area. We are also currently recon- structing a number of reser- voirs in the South of Malta and implementing around €30million worth of trench- ing to extend the network in Gozo, as well as in the north- ern and southern Malta. In short, we are implement- ing improvements through a project that will exceed the €130 million mark and most likely approach the €150 mil- lion mark if more funds are secured. Many see the results of their hard work on this project as an impressive achievement. But there is more to it. Whilst all this work was be- ing carried out, this team of people was also responsible for all water and wastewater operations. I am grateful for the results being attained and I am de- termined – as is my team – to keep working to deliver even higher standards. maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 APRIL 2019 €130million water project is a sign of things to come Joe Mizzi is Minister for Energy and Water Management OPINION Joe Mizzi www.creditinfo.com.mt info@creditinfo.com.mt Tel: 2131 2344 Your Local Partner for Credit Risk Management Solutions Supporting you all the way maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 APRIL 2019 Joe Mizzi We are implementing improvements through a project that will exceed the €130 million mark and most likely approach the €150 million mark if more funds are secured