‘Unacceptable’: Bernard Grech Slams Government After Balluta Bay Turns Green
The sea of the popular Balluta Bay turned green over the weekend… prompting a number of harsh criticism, including from Opposition Leader Bernard Grech.
“The Maltese people and all those that visit these islands deserve a clean sea and environment,” Grech wrote on Facebook yesterday. “It is unacceptable that after the investment made by a Nationalist government in the drainage systems, this government didn’t do anything, so much so that various bays ended up being closed this summer because of draining eruptions.”
“A Nationalist government would immediately see to this necessary investment so that our country’s infrastructure can actually handle the current demand,” Grech finished.
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Before summer even kicked off, on 21st May, the Environmental Health Directorate advised against swimming in Balluta Bay due to microbiological contamination from E. coli and I. enterococci, which compromised water quality and posed health risks to swimmers.
This warning was issued on the same day Prime Minister Robert Abela celebrated a €40 million investment in the five-star Marriott Hotel, which is adjacent to the bay.One week later, the authorities reiterated their warning about Balluta Bay on 1st June, thus proving that no solution was found.
Four days later, the Water Services Corporation announced that sewage leakage into the bay had ceased following repairs on a leaking storm drain tunnel.A spokesperson clarified that two instances of E. coli contamination in Balluta were not related to the sewage system, but the corporation still assisted with the necessary repairs.
Have you ever seen Balluta Bay like this?