The €2.1 million project to rebuild the reservoir in Ta’ Mlit, Mosta, has begun, an investment that will contribute to reducing the flooding problem in this area, increasing water storage capacity and, subsequently, creating a new recreation area for the community.
The project, which will be carried out by the Department of Public Works, is also one of the commitments that the Government made in the Electoral Manifesto and which it is beginning to implement in the first months of this legislature.
This was announced during a visit that the Minister for Local Government and Public Works, Alison Zerafa Civelli, made together with the Director General of the Works Division within the Department of Public Works, Architect Stephen Bonello, and the Mayor of Mosta, Joseph Gatt.
Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli said that this project reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing the concrete needs of the people and investing where there is a real need in communities.
“We are implementing a project that directly responds to what the residents of this area need: less flooding, stronger infrastructure and a new space where families can spend time together,” said the Minister. She stressed that the Government’s priority remains that public investment leads to concrete improvements in people’s daily lives and gives communities the infrastructure and spaces they really need.
The Director of Coastal and Stormwater within the Department of Public Works, Architect Mario Ellul, explained that through this project, the reservoir will be rebuilt with a stronger structure. This had to be done because the existing reservoir has several structural problems, particularly in its roof. At the same time, the new reservoir will be dug deeper in order to increase its capacity.
The Mayor of Mosta, Joseph Gatt, said that this is an important project for the people of Mosta because it will address one of the challenges faced by residents in this area, while at the same time creating an opportunity for environmental improvement and a new space for the community. He maintained that collaboration between the Government and the Local Council is essential for projects of this nature to lead to concrete and sustainable results that benefit residents.
The existing reservoir needs to be rebuilt due to various level and structural problems, particularly in its roof. Thus, the project will include the demolition of the existing reservoir and digging deeper to increase its capacity and be able to collect more water. The new reservoir will be built with a structure of concrete columns and roofs and, when completed, will be able to collect more than 4 million liters of water. This storage will be able to be used for watering trees and plants in various areas, thus contributing to a more efficient use of water resources.
The reservoir reconstruction works are expected to be completed within 60 weeks. After the completion of the reservoir work, work on the project will continue with the construction of the proposed garden on the reservoir by Project Green. The garden is intended to provide a new recreational space for the residents of this area of Mosta.
Thus, the project will lead to a number of benefits for the community, including a reduction in the problem of flooding, increased water storage capacity, significant improvements to the area and the creation of a new public space for families and residents.
Photos: MLGP/DOI
