First phase of Maghtab rehabilitation completed

The first phase of the rehabilitation of the former landfill at Maghtab has been completed, Resources Minister George Pullicino said this afternoon. The project was handled by WasteServ Malta Ltd. It covered an area of some  280,000 m2 and cost over €15m. The minister said the first phase was a pilot project of a representative area of the site. The rehabilitation included formation and capping of slopes, formation of benches (passages), construction of 2km of rubble walls in the Phase I area, with a further 1.8km to be constructed in the Phase II area, construction of 37 planting cells in the Phase I area, with over 200 additional planting cells to be included in the Phase II area, planting of trees and finishing of slopes with vegetation, including 4,000 large trees, 10,500 small trees and 20,000 large shrubs. The project also involves construction of a large water reservoir and water culvert. The water reservoir was initially meant to have a capacity of 12,000 cubic metres but has now been enlarged to 19,000 cubic metres. There will also be formation of reed beds which act as a natural water polishing system, as well as silt ponds designed to collect rain water. Mr Pullicino...