Sliema’s popular Fond Għadir closed for swimming due to contamination
The warning comes days after a swimming ban was imposed at Sliema's Chalet and Qui si Sana area
Health authorities on Friday advised against swimming in the Font Għadir area of Sliema.
In a statement, the Environmental Health Directorate said bathing in the bay is not recommended after contaminated water that was discharged from a stormwater culvert reached the sea.
The warning comes two days after the directorate also discouraged swimming near the Chalet area, located just a few metres away from Fond Għadir.
An investigation carried out by environmental health officials, with assistance from the Water Services Corporation’s Waste Water Unit, traced the source of the contamination at the Chalet area to a faulty drainage system in a nearby private establishment.
The Environmental Health Officers are investigating to determine the source of contamination. The duration of the contamination cannot be predicted at this stage.
Temporary warning signs have been posted in the affected area.
When the quality is restored, the signs will be removed, and another press release will be issued to notify the public that the site is again fit for bathing.
For more information, the public may contact the Environmental Health Directorate on 2133 7333 during office hours (8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) or email wrau.ehd@gov.mt.