Sewage Keeps Flowing Into Malta’s Seas, EU Commission Confirms

The European Parliament has heard an urgent call for the European Commission to take stronger action over repeated sewage discharges into Maltese coastal waters during the summer months.

The appeal was raised during a discussion on a petition submitted by Benjamin Mifsud Scicluna on behalf of Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, which highlighted ongoing shortcomings in wastewater management.

These issues, the petition stated, have led to sewage entering the sea and frequent closures of popular bathing sites around Malta.

MEP Peter Agius told the hearing that Malta’s EU membership was intended to secure higher environmental standards, yet existing rules appear to be breached regularly.

He argued that legislation must translate into real protections for citizens, stressing that access to clean and safe seas is a fundamental right that is increasingly being compromised.

He referred to documented cases of sewage discharge in areas such as Mellieħa and Żabbar, noting that the problem affects thousands of people who depend on the sea for recreation, wellbeing and economic activity.

Agius warned that continued inaction risks weakening public confidence in European institutions.

The European Commission, represented by its Directorate General for Environment, acknowledged that recent seawater readings from Malta indicate ongoing breaches of EU rules and said further measures will be considered to address the situation.

#MaltaDaily