Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541798
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 5 DECEMBER 2025 NEWS St Albert the Great College year 11 students enjoy memorable weekend live-in in Gozo ST. Albert the Great College's Year 11 students spent the past weekend in Gozo for their annu- al live-in, combining fun, learn- ing, and community-building in a memorable experience. The students participated in a range of activities designed to encourage teamwork, reflec- tion, and personal growth, while also sharing plenty of laughter along the way. Teachers and Learning Support Educators (LSEs) played a key role in or- ganising and supervising the event, ensuring it ran smoothly and safely. The school praised all partici- pants for their enthusiasm and thanked the staff who made the live-in possible. Events like this, the college said, help strength- en bonds within the school community and create lasting memories for students and staff alike. The students participated in a range of activities designed to encourage teamwork, reflection, and personal growth, while also sharing plenty of laughter along the way NATIONAL investment plan to modernise water and waste- water systems is gaining mo- mentum, with several projects now set to receive EU funding and national financing, officials said. At a press conference, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli and Eu- ropean Funds Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi joined the Water Services Corporation (WSC) to announce a signifi- cant programme of upgrades aimed at improving water sup- ply, sewage treatment, and sys- tem resilience. "We are working tirelessly on the ten-year strong plan that we have launched regarding strategic investments in water and wastewater. In this man- ner, we are ensuring that Mal- ta is prepared for the future in both water production and sewage treatment," Dalli said. The planned projects aim to boost production capacity, improve water quality, reduce seawater intrusion, prevent overflows, and strengthen wastewater networks to cope with seasonal peaks and demo- graphic growth. The plan also supports increased production of New Water for agriculture and green spaces. Zrinzo Azzopardi highlighted the importance of EU support in modernising Malta's infra- structure. "European funds are not only giving us the means to improve water supply but are also strengthening nation- al security and making us more resilient to climate and en- vironmental challenges. As a country, we must continue to look ahead and invest in effi- cient and sustainable systems that will provide for our fam- ilies for many years," he said. He recalled past EU-funded initiatives, including the first reverse osmosis plant in Gozo, which opened four years ago and now serves thousands of households. WSC CEO Karl Cilia out- lined the specific interven- tions, including improvements to reverse osmosis plants, new pumping mains, reservoir connections, and network up- grades in Selmun, Gozo, and the Three Cities to reduce leak- age and enhance service relia- bility. Groundwater collection processes are being optimised, and new laboratory equipment will further elevate water qual- ity. Major wastewater projects are underway in northern Mal- ta, featuring micro tunneling, sewer lining, and replacement of old pressure mains. New gal- leries are being built in Żejtun, Mqabba, Kirkop, Żurrieq, and Birżebbuġia, while network extensions in Rabat and Dingli will connect households cur- rently outside the main sew- er system. Expansion works are also ongoing at the Malta North and Gozo wastewater treatment plants. "WSC has a very positive track record when it comes to delivering critical projects. Our teams will deliver these pro- jects with focus and responsi- bility. The plan reflects serious technical work, years of prepa- ration and a commitment to long-term sustainability. Every intervention translates into a clear improvement to the ser- vice we provide," Cilia said. Malta's National Investment Plan allocates over €370 mil- lion for water and wastewater infrastructure between 2023 and 2033, with €86 million co-financed by the EU 2021–27 programme and an addition- al €12 million funded through WSC green bonds. €86 million EU funding granted to upgrade Malta and Gozo's water and wastewater infrastructure Energy Minister Miriam Dalli (Photo: Daniel Scicluna/DOI) European Funds Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi (Photo: Daniel Scicluna/DOI)