A major €3 million investment by the Water Services Corporation is transforming wastewater infrastructure in Wied iż-Żurrieq, Qrendi, by connecting the area for the first time to the Żurrieq sewage network.
The project will eliminate the long-standing reliance on cesspits for residents and businesses, delivering a significant environmental and public health improvement for the area.
The ongoing works were visited by the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Miriam Dalli, together with Water Services Corporation Chief Executive Officer Karl Cilia and members of the Qrendi Local Council, including Mayor David Schembri. During the visit, the minister was briefed on the progress being made across the different elements of the project, which are advancing steadily.
Minister Miriam Dalli stressed the broader importance of the project, describing it as a clear example of how infrastructure investment directly improves quality of life while protecting the environment. “For years, families and businesses in Wied iz-Żurrieq had to rely on private cesspits, with all the inconvenience and environmental risks that come with them. This project is about correcting that reality once and for all. It shows our commitment to modern infrastructure that safeguards our valleys, our groundwater, and our communities, while delivering a more dignified and sustainable service to residents.”
At the heart of the project is a new rising main that will pump sewage from Wied iż-Żurrieq towards Żurrieq through two pumping stations. This section of the works is now nearing completion, with almost all of the pipeline already in place. Construction of the two pumping stations, which are essential due to the distance and elevation difference between the two localities, has also commenced and is progressing in line with project timelines. At the same time, works on the gravity main, which involves connecting households and roads incrementally and directing sewage to the first pumping station, have passed the halfway mark, ensuring that more homes are steadily being prepared for connection to the new network.
The project forms part of a wider national effort to upgrade Malta’s wastewater systems, reduce pollution risks, and ensure that all communities benefit from reliable and environmentally responsible services.
Works are being carried out throughout the day and night, in full coordination with the Wied iż-Żurrieq community. Once completed, the Wied iż-Żurrieq sewage network will represent a long-term investment in sustainability, supporting both residents and economic activity in the area for decades to come.
CEO Karl Cilia highlighted that the project was part of WSC’s overall commitment to upgrading its wastewater network across Malta and Gozo. “Once the works are complete, the community in the Wied iż-Żurrieq area will be connected to the corporation’s wastewater network. This major investment is part of our broader work on improving our sewage network, ensuring the public receives the best wastewater services possible, while underlining our drive towards sustainability and environmental stewardship.”
Photos (MEEC)
