Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533191
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 MARCH 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt A newly published Environ- mental Impact Assessment (EIA) concludes that emissions from the proposed hazardous waste incinerator in Magħtab will have a negligible impact on air quality. The study found that emis- sions from the plant at the Ecohive complex are expect- ed to remain within regulatory limits under all scenarios. The new thermal plant is be- ing proposed on seven agricul- tural fields over an area of about 18,200sq.m to the east of the Magħtab and Għallis landfills. The project, intended to re- place the existing Marsa Ther- mal Treatment Facility, will process a significantly higher volume of waste. The hazardous waste throughput is project- ed to exceed 10,000 tonnes per year by 2045. The current Mar- sa plant, built in 2007, was orig- inally designed for animal waste but now faces capacity limi- tations. It currently processes approximately between 5,000 tonnes and 6,000 tonnes of hazardous waste annually, with weekly transport trips reach- ing 130 to 150 vehicles. Due to economic and operational con- straints, upgrading the existing facility was deemed unfeasible compared to constructing a new, modern plant in Magħtab. The new facility will process a wide range of waste streams, in- cluding carcasses, clinical waste, waste oils, abattoir by-products, and industrial chemicals. Ini- tially, one processing line will be operational, with provisions for a second to accommodate future demand. Each line is designed to handle up to 1.2 tonnes of waste per hour, allow- ing for a total capacity of 7,000 tonnes per line annually. Negligible impact on air quality expected One of the main concerns out- lined in the EIA is the potential impact of the facility's emis- sions on air quality. A six-week baseline air quality monitoring exercise identified 55 recep- tor points in Magħtab, Naxx- ar, Pembroke, Swieqi, St Paul's Bay, San Ġwann, and Mosta. Three air quality models were tested to simulate differ- ent operational scenarios, in- cluding worst-case emissions. The assessment incorporated the use of Flue Gas Treatment (FGT) systems and Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) to regulate and moni- tor emissions. The findings indicate that emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), and other pollutants are expected to remain within regulatory air quality limits un- der all scenarios. The study also compared projected emissions with the thresholds established under Directive 2008/50/EC on Ambient Air Quality and Clean- er Air for Europe, confirming that pollutant levels would stay below legal limits. The study was based on a chimney stack height of 25 me- tres, following a previous study that compared three chimney stack heights – 25m, 30m, and 35m. The study revealed no sig- nificant variations in air qual- ity impact among the different stack heights, leading designers to opt for a shorter chimney to minimise visual impact and as- sociated costs. However, the cumulative im- pact assessment, which consid- ered emissions from both the proposed Thermal Treatment Facility (TTF) and the adjacent Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant, suggested that while most areas would not experience signifi- cant adverse effects, a minor in- crease in PM₁₀ concentrations could occur at one receptor lo- cated on agricultural land 0.43 km from the site. The EIA notes that this increase is unlikely to exceed acceptable limits but re- mains a factor to be monitored. Noise is not expected to be a major concern during either the construction or operational phases of the project. Benefits of relocation The proposed TTF will span approximately 18,185sq.m and will include additional facili- ties such as a water treatment plant, administrative offices, a reception area for pet carcass- es, and landscaped zones. The plant's design allows for future expansion, with space allocated for a potential third processing line to accommodate increasing waste volumes. The relocation to Magħtab aims to mitigate odour com- plaints from residents near the Marsa site while improving logistical efficiency by centralis- ing waste treatment within the Ecohive complex. The existing Marsa facility is expected to remain on standby but will not be upgraded to han- dle future demand. The EIA concludes that with proper emission controls, the project will comply with envi- ronmental standards while ad- dressing Malta's growing haz- ardous waste treatment needs. Ecological impact The study also addresses envi- ronmental concerns related to excavations, particularly dust emissions, which could impact the coastline and the protected l-Għadira s-Safra site, especially on dry, windy days. Construc- tion work may also disrupt bird populations. If activities take place between March and August, breeding territories of the Sardinian Warbler and the Zitting Cisti- cola could be disturbed or lost. Additionally, if work occurs between March and July, up to two breeding pairs of the Blue Rock Thrush could be affected. This disruption could lead to temporary displacement, re- duced breeding success, and the loss of nest sites, potentially causing reproductive failure for all three species. Negligible air quality impact of proposed thermal treatment facility Clinical and animal waste set to increase from the current 7,000 tonnes to over 10,000 tonnes a year by 2045 Photomontage of the new Ecohive complex in Maghtab