The Government takes note of the judgement by the Court of Justice of the European Union in the case of Commission v Malta concerning the implementation of the Urban Waste-Water Treatment Directive.
A comprehensive analysis of the judgment is currently underway to evaluate this judgement and its implications, and to determine the appropriate next steps.
Malta’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union provided for a transitional period with a final compliance deadline that lapsed on 31 March 2007.
The ruling handed down today assessed Malta’s position as at October 2017 and the Court stated that changes and improvements that followed thereafter could not be taken into account.
This Government has been addressing the concerns in a holistic manner and made significant investments to enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of urban waste-water treatment plants across Malta and Gozo.
The Government has already made significant upgrades to address the urban wastewater treatment challenges. In the Malta North Agglomeration, improvements include increasing the capacity of the Ċumnija UWWTP in 2014 and 2015, with further upgrades completed in 2023, such as the partial disconnection of farmyard waste. Major upgrades are planned for 2024, including a significant capacity boost and the installation of a new Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor plant to enhance treatment performance.
For the Malta South Agglomeration, the Government is in the process of delivering energy-efficient aeration improvements. These measures show Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with EU standards and improve wastewater management across the country.
In addition, the Government has been actively working to segregate farm waste from urban wastewater, and plans for a dedicated facility for the collection and processing of agricultural and animal waste are also currently underway.
The Government has also agreed with farmers to transport manure to the Sant’Antnin treatment plant in Marsaskala, where it is separated into solid and liquid parts. This system is working well with positive results.
After a market consultation, a cost-benefit analysis identified the best method for processing animal waste. A public tender for building farm waste treatment plants will be issued soon. These plants will separate and process manure to produce fertilisers and other useful by-products.
Earlier this month, a Prior Information Notice (PIN) was published in the EU Official Journal to inform potential suppliers about the upcoming tender.
The Government remains committed to improving Malta’s wastewater management infrastructure, ensuring compliance with European Union legislation, and safeguarding the environment.
