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Environmental NGO’s have been decrying the sad state of affairs on Comino for at least two decades. Ever since the early 1990’s, the problem of pig farm sewage being dumped on land and at sea has been highlighted ad nauseum especially over the past 5 years with Nature Trust (Malta) lodging numerous reports with the authorities.
The site is protected at an international level and it is now high time that the effluent of raw untreated sewage should be stopped and the matter treated with urgency. The NGO queries whether water sampling is taking place in this area and how fishfarming activities have been allowed to continue their activities so close to this source of constant pollution.
These photographs taken in 2003, 2004, and more recently last October, show the state of the area just metres away from the scheduled Santa Marija battery as well as the sewage waterfall ending up at sea beneath the same battery and the otherwise beautiful coastal arch. The Comino Management Committee, which seems to have stopped its function, was also aware of the issue and remedial action was to be taken - but to this date it seems that the situation has remained the same, though the level of obligations for the site’s protection have increased…
Below is the self-explanatory letter sent to MEPA on 31st October 2007:
“EPD, MEPA
Over the past years Nature Trust has repeatedly called upon the authorities and upon the Comino Steering Committee to take action over the dire situation in Comino - a supposedly strictly protected area.It was stated that the Pig Farm would be closed down - yet till this week we were receiving reports of dark sludge finding its way to the sea below It-Trunciera from the old pipes which also leak onto the surrounding terrestrial areas.
Attached are photos taken some years ago. We do not have a recent photo to show the widespread pollution but our members informed us that the sea was literally brown and the stench was unbearable.
We still cannot understand why no enforcement notice was ever issued on site and why this illegal and uncontrolled method of sewage disposal is still being allowed.
Below is a letter we had sent in 2004. We trust you will look into this matter as soon as possible as Malta is obliged to protect this proposed Natura 2000 site and prevent further damage from degrading its environment.
Yours truly,
Annalise Falzon
Nature Trust”
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Dec 8, 2007 at 11:57:56
I believe MEPA has no time for enviromental issues on Comino. They are backlogged with hundreds of new heavy construction applications that need immediate approval. This is just a very small minor complaint for MEPA, as they have not responded to this complaint in the past.
Dec 28, 2007 at 18:41:51
Every summer we noticed while swimming in the small but beautiful bay of Little Armier, a bad smell and on many days the sea would bring in large quantities of brownish matter on the surface, and deposited on the beach. I think this is the cause, after reading this article, especially when the wind direction is from Comino.
We wondered from where it comes, but reading this we conclude that the sewage from Comino Pig Farm is the cause, situated just in front of Little Armier Bay, Action must be taken immediately before next summer comes. Do not spoil such a beautiful “clear” sea water beach !
Dec 29, 2007 at 03:42:25
Shame on present MEPA’s administration! AD from parliament will truly reform this monstrosity once and for all.