Restoration strategies for landfill sites

The Ministry for the Environment yesterday issued the documents for a restricted tender on the ‘Development of Environmentally Sound Restoration Strategies for the Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija Landfill Sites.’ The documents were sent to Jessberger + Partner GmbH of Germany and RPS Consultants Ltd, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Co Ltd, AEA Technology Environment, Halcrow Group, Enviros Aspinwall and Intergeo Atlantic Ltd Environmental Technology of the UK.

This appraisal is essential prior to any final proposals for the rehabilitation and future use of Maghtab, Qortin and Wied Fulija are developed and approved. For this reason a detailed survey, investigation and risk assessment of each site will be carried out leading to the development of remediation plans and specifications for carrying out remediation works in each case.

The preparation and implementation of plans for the remediation, restoration and return to beneficial use of ‘former waste dump sites’ and ‘existing waste dumping sites’ is scheduled in the Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Maltese Islands to be completed by the end of 2003 and end of 2004 respectively. This indicates that the Ministry for the Environment is moving according to the time-frames it set out for itself in the Solid Waste Management Strategy.