EC confirms Malta breaches EU sewage rules

top view photo of rocky shore

A European Commission spokesperson confirmed that seawater tests show Malta continues to breach EU sewage treatment rules, following a petition to the European Parliament organised by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA).

In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that Malta had failed to properly treat and monitor urban wastewater before discharge at sea. Despite this, beach closures due to sewage were reported last summer.

FAA’s petition, accepted by the EP’s Petitions Committee, urged the Commission to ensure Malta implements the court ruling and protects citizens’ right to clean seas. FAA activist Benjamin Mifsud Scicluna noted that nine beaches were closed due to overflowing infrastructure, highlighting Malta had exceeded its carrying capacity.

MEP Peter Agius stressed that Maltese citizens expected EU membership to deliver high environmental standards and called on the Commission to act urgently to restore clean seas.

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