Water Services Corporation inaugurates New Water polishing plant at Ta’ Barkat

The Water Services Corporation’s third and largest ‘New Water’ polishing plant at ta’ Barkat, limits of Xghajra, was inaugurated by Minister for Energy & Water management Joe Mizzi during an event held at Fort Rinella yesterday.

These plants provide very high-quality water for agriculture, industry, landscaping, and other sectors where drinking water quality levels are not required.

The Ta’ Barkat in the south of Malta will produce seven billion litres of New Water annually through this new system. It will supply farmers and industry in the South of Malta

“The first New Water plant in Ic-Cumnija limits of Mellieha was inaugurated in May 2017 and has since provided highquality water to farmers in the Mellieha, Manikata and Pwales areas. The second plant was inaugurated in July 2018 in Ras ilHobz in Gozo to supply water to the farming community in Malta’s sister island,” a statement by the Corporation read.

Treated sewage from the Corporation’s three sewage treatment plants that was hitherto discharged to sea is now pumped to new tertiary treatment polishing plants. “These were built with €20 million EU and local funds to take this treated sewage and treat it to very stringent quality standards. Sophisticated additional microfiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidisation processes ensure complete security of the finished product. Apart from the funds used for the construction of the three polishing plants, another €20 million was used to convey this New Water to rural areas through a dedicated infrastructure.”

Minister Mizzi briefly addressed the press conference and said that farmers’ take-up of New Water so far is very encouraging and that substantial gains in the yield and quality of local produce have been achieved. He added that Government is determined to continue supporting this vital sector.

This project is co-financed through EU Cohesion funds.