0

Bathing Water Profile PROFILE 27

IL-BAJJA TArsquo ĦONDOQ IR-RUMMIEN FIL-QALA amp IL-BAJJA TAZ-ZEWWIEQA FrsquoGĦAJNSIELEM GĦAWDEX

JUNE 2013

1

Brief description and importance of water profiles

This is one of a series of 29 profiles that cover all 87 identified bathing waters of the Maltese Islands Bathing water profiles are established in accordance with Directive 20067EC Article 6 regulation 11 and Schedule III of the Regulations as transposed by Legal Notice 125 of 2008 and amended by Legal Notice 237 of 2011 These regulations concern the management of bathing water in relation to the reduction of gastroenteritis and other waterborne health risks originating from faecal sources and other routes of pollution

In essence bathing water quality is monitored for 23 weeks each year in different bathing areas in the Maltese Islands by the Environmental Health

Directorate The monitoring period corresponds with the official bathing season that traditionally opens on the third week of May and closes in the third week of October (National Statistics Office 2004) Bathing water quality is classified according to Directive 20067EC as lsquoexcellentrsquo lsquogoodrsquo lsquosufficientrsquo or lsquopoorrsquo using the symbols shown in Figure 1 below Water quality data from the European Commission was last updated in 2012 (Figure 2) the latest figures classify 966 of the Maltese Islandrsquos bathing waters as of excellent quality with a very slight decline when compared to the previous year

(European Environmental Agency 2012)

Figure 1 Bathing water star classification from left to right lsquoexcellentrsquo lsquogoodrsquo lsquosufficientrsquo and lsquopoorrsquo

Excellent Quality Good Quality Sufficient Quality Poor Quality

2

Figure 2 Results of bathing water quality in Malta from 2005 to 2012

(European Environment Agency 2012)

Bathing water profiles play an important role in addressing management issues and in implementing more effective measures The purpose of the bathing water profile is to help the bather make an informed choice The profile gives information about the bathing water quality including the potential pollution risks at the site and records the measures used to improve the quality of the bathing water

In addition information on the physical geographical and hydrological characteristics together with a history of water quality is provided in the overview data section This information is made available to the general public by means of posters exhibited on site in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 16 of Legal Notice 125 of 2008 (amended by Legal Notice 237 of 2011)

Key information

bull Bathing water names Il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

bull Bathing water ID numbers MT0260264800000D19 MT0260262200000D20

bull Location Gozo QalaGħajnsielem

bull Year of Identification 1996

bull Local Council Areas Qala and Għajnsielem

bull Description of bathing beaches Rocky beaches with the exception of Ħondoq ir-Rummien which has a small sandy beach

bull Monitoring Points Two monitoring points (MT0260264800000D19 ndash il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and MT0260262200000D20 ndash il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa are monitored at these bathing waters

3

General description of bathing waters and surrounding

areas

Il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa are located along Gozorsquos

southern coast The Bays are typical rocky

beaches although Ħondoq ir-Rummien also

has a small sandy beach (Figure 3)

Figure 3 Sandy beach at Ħondoq ir-

Rummien

Il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa is located adjacent to

the Mġarr yacht marina and Mġarr harbour

On the other hand Ħondoq ir-Rummien is

located in Qala and the area surrounding

this bay isnrsquot highly urbanised (Figure 5)

During the bathing season these bays

receive a considerable amount of bathers

The bays host a number of species such as

Posidonia oceanica meadows Little

Neptune Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa)

together with Spotted Cowrie and the

Noble Fan Shell are also present This

vegetation which is highly productive

forms important nursery breeding and

nesting grounds for several species of fish

and invertebrates Coastal garrigue and

maquis have been identified in close

proximity to the sea

The various land uses in the area are shown

in Figure 6 and Figure 7 Ħondoq ir-

Rummien is located in an unspoilt and

natural setting it also has some facilities

for bathers Amenities such as a car park

one kiosk public toilets a chapel dedicated

to Santa Marija tal-Blat and a disused

Reverse Osmosis plant which was

constructed in 1960 (Axiak 2004) are found

in this location (Figure 4) This bay provides

several water sports activities such as wind

surfing diving and yachting On the other

hand Zewwieqa beach presents a diverse

land use On one hand the bay enjoys

amenities such as several bars restaurants

a hotel the yacht marina and the harbour

Concurrently the bay is also surrounded by

agricultural fields and Wied Mġarr The

bathing waters are used by day and night

especially during the spring and summer

months During the bathing season the

bays receive a substantial amount of

bathers

Figure 4 Abandoned Reverse Osmosis

plant at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

4

Figure 5 Location of bathing waters and monitoring points

Figure 6 Land uses surrounding Ħondoq ir-Rummien

5

Figure 7 Land uses surrounding il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Bathing Water History

Official bathing water quality data dates

back to 1996 Weekly tests particularly

during the bathing season have been

carried out every year The site continues

to be monitored by the Health Inspectorate

Services within the Environmental Health

Directorate as part of its Bathing Water

Monitoring Programme The Public Health

Laboratory Services (PHLS) within the

Environmental Health Directorate carry out

all tests for microbiological parameters as

required under the Management of Bathing

Water Quality Regulations 2008 (LN 125

of 2008 as amended by LN 237 of 2011)

Since 1996 water quality was tested for

faecal coliform counts100ml and faecal

streptococci counts100ml and classified

according to the Barcelona Convention

Interim Criteria (BCIC) Site Classification for

Faecal Coliform Counts The overall trend

between 2005 and 2009 was in accordance

with the criteria set in the Barcelona

Convention From 2009 the classification of

water quality was based on the new EU

Directive 20067EC which involves

measuring counts 100ml for Escherichia

coli and Intestinal Enterococci The overall

trend for water quality classification at il-

Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa between 2009 and 2012

under the EU Directive 20067EC was

lsquoExcellentrsquo Table 1 below describes how

bathing waters are classified under this

Directive Table 2 describes the results for

the waters described in this Profile for the

period 2009 to 2012

6

Table 1 Classification of Bathing Waters

Table 2 Water quality classification at the monitoring points (2009-2012)

Note that lsquoD19rsquo is a direct reference to MT0260264800000D19 lsquoD20rsquo refers to MT0260262200000D20 The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry of Health website (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Escherichia coli (cfu100 ml) lt 250 Excellent quality lt 500

Good quality gt 500

Sufficient quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu100 ml) lt 100

Excellent quality lt 200

Good quality gt 200

Sufficient quality

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Water ID numbers

Year Escherichia coli Intestinal

Enterococci Overall

Classification

2012

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2012

Excellent Quality

1

Brief description and importance of water profiles

This is one of a series of 29 profiles that cover all 87 identified bathing waters of the Maltese Islands Bathing water profiles are established in accordance with Directive 20067EC Article 6 regulation 11 and Schedule III of the Regulations as transposed by Legal Notice 125 of 2008 and amended by Legal Notice 237 of 2011 These regulations concern the management of bathing water in relation to the reduction of gastroenteritis and other waterborne health risks originating from faecal sources and other routes of pollution

In essence bathing water quality is monitored for 23 weeks each year in different bathing areas in the Maltese Islands by the Environmental Health

Directorate The monitoring period corresponds with the official bathing season that traditionally opens on the third week of May and closes in the third week of October (National Statistics Office 2004) Bathing water quality is classified according to Directive 20067EC as lsquoexcellentrsquo lsquogoodrsquo lsquosufficientrsquo or lsquopoorrsquo using the symbols shown in Figure 1 below Water quality data from the European Commission was last updated in 2012 (Figure 2) the latest figures classify 966 of the Maltese Islandrsquos bathing waters as of excellent quality with a very slight decline when compared to the previous year

(European Environmental Agency 2012)

Figure 1 Bathing water star classification from left to right lsquoexcellentrsquo lsquogoodrsquo lsquosufficientrsquo and lsquopoorrsquo

Excellent Quality Good Quality Sufficient Quality Poor Quality

2

Figure 2 Results of bathing water quality in Malta from 2005 to 2012

(European Environment Agency 2012)

Bathing water profiles play an important role in addressing management issues and in implementing more effective measures The purpose of the bathing water profile is to help the bather make an informed choice The profile gives information about the bathing water quality including the potential pollution risks at the site and records the measures used to improve the quality of the bathing water

In addition information on the physical geographical and hydrological characteristics together with a history of water quality is provided in the overview data section This information is made available to the general public by means of posters exhibited on site in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 16 of Legal Notice 125 of 2008 (amended by Legal Notice 237 of 2011)

Key information

bull Bathing water names Il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

bull Bathing water ID numbers MT0260264800000D19 MT0260262200000D20

bull Location Gozo QalaGħajnsielem

bull Year of Identification 1996

bull Local Council Areas Qala and Għajnsielem

bull Description of bathing beaches Rocky beaches with the exception of Ħondoq ir-Rummien which has a small sandy beach

bull Monitoring Points Two monitoring points (MT0260264800000D19 ndash il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and MT0260262200000D20 ndash il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa are monitored at these bathing waters

3

General description of bathing waters and surrounding

areas

Il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa are located along Gozorsquos

southern coast The Bays are typical rocky

beaches although Ħondoq ir-Rummien also

has a small sandy beach (Figure 3)

Figure 3 Sandy beach at Ħondoq ir-

Rummien

Il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa is located adjacent to

the Mġarr yacht marina and Mġarr harbour

On the other hand Ħondoq ir-Rummien is

located in Qala and the area surrounding

this bay isnrsquot highly urbanised (Figure 5)

During the bathing season these bays

receive a considerable amount of bathers

The bays host a number of species such as

Posidonia oceanica meadows Little

Neptune Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa)

together with Spotted Cowrie and the

Noble Fan Shell are also present This

vegetation which is highly productive

forms important nursery breeding and

nesting grounds for several species of fish

and invertebrates Coastal garrigue and

maquis have been identified in close

proximity to the sea

The various land uses in the area are shown

in Figure 6 and Figure 7 Ħondoq ir-

Rummien is located in an unspoilt and

natural setting it also has some facilities

for bathers Amenities such as a car park

one kiosk public toilets a chapel dedicated

to Santa Marija tal-Blat and a disused

Reverse Osmosis plant which was

constructed in 1960 (Axiak 2004) are found

in this location (Figure 4) This bay provides

several water sports activities such as wind

surfing diving and yachting On the other

hand Zewwieqa beach presents a diverse

land use On one hand the bay enjoys

amenities such as several bars restaurants

a hotel the yacht marina and the harbour

Concurrently the bay is also surrounded by

agricultural fields and Wied Mġarr The

bathing waters are used by day and night

especially during the spring and summer

months During the bathing season the

bays receive a substantial amount of

bathers

Figure 4 Abandoned Reverse Osmosis

plant at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

4

Figure 5 Location of bathing waters and monitoring points

Figure 6 Land uses surrounding Ħondoq ir-Rummien

5

Figure 7 Land uses surrounding il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Bathing Water History

Official bathing water quality data dates

back to 1996 Weekly tests particularly

during the bathing season have been

carried out every year The site continues

to be monitored by the Health Inspectorate

Services within the Environmental Health

Directorate as part of its Bathing Water

Monitoring Programme The Public Health

Laboratory Services (PHLS) within the

Environmental Health Directorate carry out

all tests for microbiological parameters as

required under the Management of Bathing

Water Quality Regulations 2008 (LN 125

of 2008 as amended by LN 237 of 2011)

Since 1996 water quality was tested for

faecal coliform counts100ml and faecal

streptococci counts100ml and classified

according to the Barcelona Convention

Interim Criteria (BCIC) Site Classification for

Faecal Coliform Counts The overall trend

between 2005 and 2009 was in accordance

with the criteria set in the Barcelona

Convention From 2009 the classification of

water quality was based on the new EU

Directive 20067EC which involves

measuring counts 100ml for Escherichia

coli and Intestinal Enterococci The overall

trend for water quality classification at il-

Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa between 2009 and 2012

under the EU Directive 20067EC was

lsquoExcellentrsquo Table 1 below describes how

bathing waters are classified under this

Directive Table 2 describes the results for

the waters described in this Profile for the

period 2009 to 2012

6

Table 1 Classification of Bathing Waters

Table 2 Water quality classification at the monitoring points (2009-2012)

Note that lsquoD19rsquo is a direct reference to MT0260264800000D19 lsquoD20rsquo refers to MT0260262200000D20 The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry of Health website (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Escherichia coli (cfu100 ml) lt 250 Excellent quality lt 500

Good quality gt 500

Sufficient quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu100 ml) lt 100

Excellent quality lt 200

Good quality gt 200

Sufficient quality

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Water ID numbers

Year Escherichia coli Intestinal

Enterococci Overall

Classification

2012

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2012

Excellent Quality

2

Figure 2 Results of bathing water quality in Malta from 2005 to 2012

(European Environment Agency 2012)

Bathing water profiles play an important role in addressing management issues and in implementing more effective measures The purpose of the bathing water profile is to help the bather make an informed choice The profile gives information about the bathing water quality including the potential pollution risks at the site and records the measures used to improve the quality of the bathing water

In addition information on the physical geographical and hydrological characteristics together with a history of water quality is provided in the overview data section This information is made available to the general public by means of posters exhibited on site in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 16 of Legal Notice 125 of 2008 (amended by Legal Notice 237 of 2011)

Key information

bull Bathing water names Il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

bull Bathing water ID numbers MT0260264800000D19 MT0260262200000D20

bull Location Gozo QalaGħajnsielem

bull Year of Identification 1996

bull Local Council Areas Qala and Għajnsielem

bull Description of bathing beaches Rocky beaches with the exception of Ħondoq ir-Rummien which has a small sandy beach

bull Monitoring Points Two monitoring points (MT0260264800000D19 ndash il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and MT0260262200000D20 ndash il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa are monitored at these bathing waters

3

General description of bathing waters and surrounding

areas

Il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa are located along Gozorsquos

southern coast The Bays are typical rocky

beaches although Ħondoq ir-Rummien also

has a small sandy beach (Figure 3)

Figure 3 Sandy beach at Ħondoq ir-

Rummien

Il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa is located adjacent to

the Mġarr yacht marina and Mġarr harbour

On the other hand Ħondoq ir-Rummien is

located in Qala and the area surrounding

this bay isnrsquot highly urbanised (Figure 5)

During the bathing season these bays

receive a considerable amount of bathers

The bays host a number of species such as

Posidonia oceanica meadows Little

Neptune Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa)

together with Spotted Cowrie and the

Noble Fan Shell are also present This

vegetation which is highly productive

forms important nursery breeding and

nesting grounds for several species of fish

and invertebrates Coastal garrigue and

maquis have been identified in close

proximity to the sea

The various land uses in the area are shown

in Figure 6 and Figure 7 Ħondoq ir-

Rummien is located in an unspoilt and

natural setting it also has some facilities

for bathers Amenities such as a car park

one kiosk public toilets a chapel dedicated

to Santa Marija tal-Blat and a disused

Reverse Osmosis plant which was

constructed in 1960 (Axiak 2004) are found

in this location (Figure 4) This bay provides

several water sports activities such as wind

surfing diving and yachting On the other

hand Zewwieqa beach presents a diverse

land use On one hand the bay enjoys

amenities such as several bars restaurants

a hotel the yacht marina and the harbour

Concurrently the bay is also surrounded by

agricultural fields and Wied Mġarr The

bathing waters are used by day and night

especially during the spring and summer

months During the bathing season the

bays receive a substantial amount of

bathers

Figure 4 Abandoned Reverse Osmosis

plant at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

4

Figure 5 Location of bathing waters and monitoring points

Figure 6 Land uses surrounding Ħondoq ir-Rummien

5

Figure 7 Land uses surrounding il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Bathing Water History

Official bathing water quality data dates

back to 1996 Weekly tests particularly

during the bathing season have been

carried out every year The site continues

to be monitored by the Health Inspectorate

Services within the Environmental Health

Directorate as part of its Bathing Water

Monitoring Programme The Public Health

Laboratory Services (PHLS) within the

Environmental Health Directorate carry out

all tests for microbiological parameters as

required under the Management of Bathing

Water Quality Regulations 2008 (LN 125

of 2008 as amended by LN 237 of 2011)

Since 1996 water quality was tested for

faecal coliform counts100ml and faecal

streptococci counts100ml and classified

according to the Barcelona Convention

Interim Criteria (BCIC) Site Classification for

Faecal Coliform Counts The overall trend

between 2005 and 2009 was in accordance

with the criteria set in the Barcelona

Convention From 2009 the classification of

water quality was based on the new EU

Directive 20067EC which involves

measuring counts 100ml for Escherichia

coli and Intestinal Enterococci The overall

trend for water quality classification at il-

Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa between 2009 and 2012

under the EU Directive 20067EC was

lsquoExcellentrsquo Table 1 below describes how

bathing waters are classified under this

Directive Table 2 describes the results for

the waters described in this Profile for the

period 2009 to 2012

6

Table 1 Classification of Bathing Waters

Table 2 Water quality classification at the monitoring points (2009-2012)

Note that lsquoD19rsquo is a direct reference to MT0260264800000D19 lsquoD20rsquo refers to MT0260262200000D20 The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry of Health website (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Escherichia coli (cfu100 ml) lt 250 Excellent quality lt 500

Good quality gt 500

Sufficient quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu100 ml) lt 100

Excellent quality lt 200

Good quality gt 200

Sufficient quality

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Water ID numbers

Year Escherichia coli Intestinal

Enterococci Overall

Classification

2012

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2012

Excellent Quality

3

General description of bathing waters and surrounding

areas

Il-Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa are located along Gozorsquos

southern coast The Bays are typical rocky

beaches although Ħondoq ir-Rummien also

has a small sandy beach (Figure 3)

Figure 3 Sandy beach at Ħondoq ir-

Rummien

Il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa is located adjacent to

the Mġarr yacht marina and Mġarr harbour

On the other hand Ħondoq ir-Rummien is

located in Qala and the area surrounding

this bay isnrsquot highly urbanised (Figure 5)

During the bathing season these bays

receive a considerable amount of bathers

The bays host a number of species such as

Posidonia oceanica meadows Little

Neptune Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa)

together with Spotted Cowrie and the

Noble Fan Shell are also present This

vegetation which is highly productive

forms important nursery breeding and

nesting grounds for several species of fish

and invertebrates Coastal garrigue and

maquis have been identified in close

proximity to the sea

The various land uses in the area are shown

in Figure 6 and Figure 7 Ħondoq ir-

Rummien is located in an unspoilt and

natural setting it also has some facilities

for bathers Amenities such as a car park

one kiosk public toilets a chapel dedicated

to Santa Marija tal-Blat and a disused

Reverse Osmosis plant which was

constructed in 1960 (Axiak 2004) are found

in this location (Figure 4) This bay provides

several water sports activities such as wind

surfing diving and yachting On the other

hand Zewwieqa beach presents a diverse

land use On one hand the bay enjoys

amenities such as several bars restaurants

a hotel the yacht marina and the harbour

Concurrently the bay is also surrounded by

agricultural fields and Wied Mġarr The

bathing waters are used by day and night

especially during the spring and summer

months During the bathing season the

bays receive a substantial amount of

bathers

Figure 4 Abandoned Reverse Osmosis

plant at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

4

Figure 5 Location of bathing waters and monitoring points

Figure 6 Land uses surrounding Ħondoq ir-Rummien

5

Figure 7 Land uses surrounding il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Bathing Water History

Official bathing water quality data dates

back to 1996 Weekly tests particularly

during the bathing season have been

carried out every year The site continues

to be monitored by the Health Inspectorate

Services within the Environmental Health

Directorate as part of its Bathing Water

Monitoring Programme The Public Health

Laboratory Services (PHLS) within the

Environmental Health Directorate carry out

all tests for microbiological parameters as

required under the Management of Bathing

Water Quality Regulations 2008 (LN 125

of 2008 as amended by LN 237 of 2011)

Since 1996 water quality was tested for

faecal coliform counts100ml and faecal

streptococci counts100ml and classified

according to the Barcelona Convention

Interim Criteria (BCIC) Site Classification for

Faecal Coliform Counts The overall trend

between 2005 and 2009 was in accordance

with the criteria set in the Barcelona

Convention From 2009 the classification of

water quality was based on the new EU

Directive 20067EC which involves

measuring counts 100ml for Escherichia

coli and Intestinal Enterococci The overall

trend for water quality classification at il-

Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa between 2009 and 2012

under the EU Directive 20067EC was

lsquoExcellentrsquo Table 1 below describes how

bathing waters are classified under this

Directive Table 2 describes the results for

the waters described in this Profile for the

period 2009 to 2012

6

Table 1 Classification of Bathing Waters

Table 2 Water quality classification at the monitoring points (2009-2012)

Note that lsquoD19rsquo is a direct reference to MT0260264800000D19 lsquoD20rsquo refers to MT0260262200000D20 The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry of Health website (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Escherichia coli (cfu100 ml) lt 250 Excellent quality lt 500

Good quality gt 500

Sufficient quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu100 ml) lt 100

Excellent quality lt 200

Good quality gt 200

Sufficient quality

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Water ID numbers

Year Escherichia coli Intestinal

Enterococci Overall

Classification

2012

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2012

Excellent Quality

4

Figure 5 Location of bathing waters and monitoring points

Figure 6 Land uses surrounding Ħondoq ir-Rummien

5

Figure 7 Land uses surrounding il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Bathing Water History

Official bathing water quality data dates

back to 1996 Weekly tests particularly

during the bathing season have been

carried out every year The site continues

to be monitored by the Health Inspectorate

Services within the Environmental Health

Directorate as part of its Bathing Water

Monitoring Programme The Public Health

Laboratory Services (PHLS) within the

Environmental Health Directorate carry out

all tests for microbiological parameters as

required under the Management of Bathing

Water Quality Regulations 2008 (LN 125

of 2008 as amended by LN 237 of 2011)

Since 1996 water quality was tested for

faecal coliform counts100ml and faecal

streptococci counts100ml and classified

according to the Barcelona Convention

Interim Criteria (BCIC) Site Classification for

Faecal Coliform Counts The overall trend

between 2005 and 2009 was in accordance

with the criteria set in the Barcelona

Convention From 2009 the classification of

water quality was based on the new EU

Directive 20067EC which involves

measuring counts 100ml for Escherichia

coli and Intestinal Enterococci The overall

trend for water quality classification at il-

Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa between 2009 and 2012

under the EU Directive 20067EC was

lsquoExcellentrsquo Table 1 below describes how

bathing waters are classified under this

Directive Table 2 describes the results for

the waters described in this Profile for the

period 2009 to 2012

6

Table 1 Classification of Bathing Waters

Table 2 Water quality classification at the monitoring points (2009-2012)

Note that lsquoD19rsquo is a direct reference to MT0260264800000D19 lsquoD20rsquo refers to MT0260262200000D20 The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry of Health website (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Escherichia coli (cfu100 ml) lt 250 Excellent quality lt 500

Good quality gt 500

Sufficient quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu100 ml) lt 100

Excellent quality lt 200

Good quality gt 200

Sufficient quality

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Water ID numbers

Year Escherichia coli Intestinal

Enterococci Overall

Classification

2012

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2012

Excellent Quality

5

Figure 7 Land uses surrounding il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Bathing Water History

Official bathing water quality data dates

back to 1996 Weekly tests particularly

during the bathing season have been

carried out every year The site continues

to be monitored by the Health Inspectorate

Services within the Environmental Health

Directorate as part of its Bathing Water

Monitoring Programme The Public Health

Laboratory Services (PHLS) within the

Environmental Health Directorate carry out

all tests for microbiological parameters as

required under the Management of Bathing

Water Quality Regulations 2008 (LN 125

of 2008 as amended by LN 237 of 2011)

Since 1996 water quality was tested for

faecal coliform counts100ml and faecal

streptococci counts100ml and classified

according to the Barcelona Convention

Interim Criteria (BCIC) Site Classification for

Faecal Coliform Counts The overall trend

between 2005 and 2009 was in accordance

with the criteria set in the Barcelona

Convention From 2009 the classification of

water quality was based on the new EU

Directive 20067EC which involves

measuring counts 100ml for Escherichia

coli and Intestinal Enterococci The overall

trend for water quality classification at il-

Bajja tarsquo Ħondoq ir-Rummien and il-Bajja

taz-Zewwieqa between 2009 and 2012

under the EU Directive 20067EC was

lsquoExcellentrsquo Table 1 below describes how

bathing waters are classified under this

Directive Table 2 describes the results for

the waters described in this Profile for the

period 2009 to 2012

6

Table 1 Classification of Bathing Waters

Table 2 Water quality classification at the monitoring points (2009-2012)

Note that lsquoD19rsquo is a direct reference to MT0260264800000D19 lsquoD20rsquo refers to MT0260262200000D20 The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry of Health website (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Escherichia coli (cfu100 ml) lt 250 Excellent quality lt 500

Good quality gt 500

Sufficient quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu100 ml) lt 100

Excellent quality lt 200

Good quality gt 200

Sufficient quality

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Water ID numbers

Year Escherichia coli Intestinal

Enterococci Overall

Classification

2012

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2012

Excellent Quality

6

Table 1 Classification of Bathing Waters

Table 2 Water quality classification at the monitoring points (2009-2012)

Note that lsquoD19rsquo is a direct reference to MT0260264800000D19 lsquoD20rsquo refers to MT0260262200000D20 The data tabulated above and further information is available at the Ministry of Health website (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Escherichia coli (cfu100 ml) lt 250 Excellent quality lt 500

Good quality gt 500

Sufficient quality

Intestinal Enterococci (cfu100 ml) lt 100

Excellent quality lt 200

Good quality gt 200

Sufficient quality

20067EC Classification

Based on four years data

Bathing Water ID numbers

Year Escherichia coli Intestinal

Enterococci Overall

Classification

2012

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2011

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2010

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2009

D19 Excellent Excellent Excellent

D20 Excellent Excellent Excellent

2012

Excellent Quality

7

Sources of Pollution

Littering agriculture and seasonal runoff

are the potential sources of pollution that

could pollute Ħondoq ir-Rummien and

Zewwieqa bay (Figure 8 and Figure 9)

Storm water might discharge directly from

the valley course seeping through several

maquis areas and agricultural fields

situated along the valleys (Malta

Environment Planning Authority 2011) As

a result this could collect particulate matter

or municipal waste along its course

following heavy rainfall It might also be

rich in nutrients collected along its course

through agricultural fields

The bathing waters receive discharges from

gutters that are connected to pipes leading

directly to the sea this could result in a

temporary microbiological and nutrient

increase in the bathing water Marine

traffic is another source of pollution which

can also have a negative effect on marine

life in the bathing water (Briguglio Cassar

Camilleri Axiak etal 2004) This occurs by

increasing petroleum hydrocarbons and by

disturbing the benthic life in the Bays

(Axiak 2004)

Figure 8 Discharges to bathing water and monitoring point at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

8

Figure 9 Discharges to bathing waters and monitoring point at il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Litter left behind by bathers or litter thrown

overboard by boats anchoring in the

embayments (Figure 10) is another source

of pollution Barbecuing is a popular

activity during the summer months This

often results in soot and charcoal dust left

lying in the sand

Figure 10 Divers boarding a boat at the

bay

Mitigation Measures

There are a number of mitigation measures

that have been implemented to address

the issues discussed above Water quality

testing (microbiology) is carried out on a

weekly basis by the Environmental Health

Directorate Numerous waste bins and

skips are located at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

and Zewwieqa beach Pets are not

permitted to bathe in official bathing zones

as regulated by Legal Notice 125 of 2008 as

9

this can lead to animal fouling Boats berthing at the Mġarr harbour have road tankers which collect sewage from boats as

the discharge of black water is not permitted

Assessment for the potential proliferation of Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) require a nutrient rich body of water light and high temperatures As discussed above the Bays receive nutrients that are carried by storm water runoff during the winter months

Having said this the Bays do not receive heavy loads of nutrients during the bathing season therefore it is likely that bathing waters are not at risk of excessive growth of cyanobacteria

Assessment of the potential for proliferation of macro-algae andor phytoplankton

Phytoplankton growth depends on carbon dioxide nitrates phosphates and silicic acid No tests recording parameters of these chemicals seem to have been carried out in the bathing waters However given the context of the surrounding landscape

and land uses in the area the bathing waters at Ħondoq ir-Rummien and Zewwieqa Bay are not currently at risk of proliferation of macro-algae or phytoplankton

What should one do if a pollution incident is noticed

If one sees a water pollution incident you should immediately contact the Environmental Health Directorate through the Automated Telephone System which is operated 24 hours Phone 21827146

Or by calling the Environmental Health Directorate during Office Hours

Phone 21337333

Or After Office Hours Weekends Public Holidays

Malta ndash 79509918 Gozo ndash 79509919

When a pollution incident is reported or pollution is found to be affecting the water quality of official bathing areas an immediate investigation is instigated by the Environmental Health Officers All possible sources of pollution within the area are checked together with the relevant Competent Authorities In addition a resample will be collected to monitor whether the beach is still polluted

10

Bathing waters may be closed by the Environmental Health Directorate in accordance with the provisions of Legal Notice 125 of 2008 Regulation 7 until the

water quality has improved and levels of bacteria are within mandatory standards in accordance to the provisions of Regulation 8 of the same legal notice

General Contact Details

Address

Telephone +356 21337333 Fax +356 21344767 Email complaintsphgovmt mhigovmt URL httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx

References

Axiak V (2004) National Action Plan for Malta for the Reduction and Elimination of Land Based Pollution Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fwwwmepaorgmt2Ffileaspx3Ff3D3524ampei=J49_UYnaI8u_PIKcgcAJampusg=AFQjCNExrnJHRS3oq1vfkrGoojDXcfCfiAampbvm=bv45921128bs1dYms

Axiak V (2004) National Diagnostic Analysis for Malta for the reduction and elimination of

land based pollution Version 22 January 2004 Brigulio L Cassar G Camilleri MAxiak V Et al (2004) Draft sustainable development

strategy for Malta Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fsecure2govmt2Ftsdu2Ffileaspx3Ff

Environmental Health Directorate Health Inspectorate Services Continental Business Centre Triq il-Ferrovija Santa Venera SVR 9018 Malta

8

Figure 9 Discharges to bathing waters and monitoring point at il-Bajja taż-Żewwieqa

Litter left behind by bathers or litter thrown

overboard by boats anchoring in the

embayments (Figure 10) is another source

of pollution Barbecuing is a popular

activity during the summer months This

often results in soot and charcoal dust left

lying in the sand

Figure 10 Divers boarding a boat at the

bay

Mitigation Measures

There are a number of mitigation measures

that have been implemented to address

the issues discussed above Water quality

testing (microbiology) is carried out on a

weekly basis by the Environmental Health

Directorate Numerous waste bins and

skips are located at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

and Zewwieqa beach Pets are not

permitted to bathe in official bathing zones

as regulated by Legal Notice 125 of 2008 as

9

this can lead to animal fouling Boats berthing at the Mġarr harbour have road tankers which collect sewage from boats as

the discharge of black water is not permitted

Assessment for the potential proliferation of Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) require a nutrient rich body of water light and high temperatures As discussed above the Bays receive nutrients that are carried by storm water runoff during the winter months

Having said this the Bays do not receive heavy loads of nutrients during the bathing season therefore it is likely that bathing waters are not at risk of excessive growth of cyanobacteria

Assessment of the potential for proliferation of macro-algae andor phytoplankton

Phytoplankton growth depends on carbon dioxide nitrates phosphates and silicic acid No tests recording parameters of these chemicals seem to have been carried out in the bathing waters However given the context of the surrounding landscape

and land uses in the area the bathing waters at Ħondoq ir-Rummien and Zewwieqa Bay are not currently at risk of proliferation of macro-algae or phytoplankton

What should one do if a pollution incident is noticed

If one sees a water pollution incident you should immediately contact the Environmental Health Directorate through the Automated Telephone System which is operated 24 hours Phone 21827146

Or by calling the Environmental Health Directorate during Office Hours

Phone 21337333

Or After Office Hours Weekends Public Holidays

Malta ndash 79509918 Gozo ndash 79509919

When a pollution incident is reported or pollution is found to be affecting the water quality of official bathing areas an immediate investigation is instigated by the Environmental Health Officers All possible sources of pollution within the area are checked together with the relevant Competent Authorities In addition a resample will be collected to monitor whether the beach is still polluted

10

Bathing waters may be closed by the Environmental Health Directorate in accordance with the provisions of Legal Notice 125 of 2008 Regulation 7 until the

water quality has improved and levels of bacteria are within mandatory standards in accordance to the provisions of Regulation 8 of the same legal notice

General Contact Details

Address

Telephone +356 21337333 Fax +356 21344767 Email complaintsphgovmt mhigovmt URL httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx

References

Axiak V (2004) National Action Plan for Malta for the Reduction and Elimination of Land Based Pollution Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fwwwmepaorgmt2Ffileaspx3Ff3D3524ampei=J49_UYnaI8u_PIKcgcAJampusg=AFQjCNExrnJHRS3oq1vfkrGoojDXcfCfiAampbvm=bv45921128bs1dYms

Axiak V (2004) National Diagnostic Analysis for Malta for the reduction and elimination of

land based pollution Version 22 January 2004 Brigulio L Cassar G Camilleri MAxiak V Et al (2004) Draft sustainable development

strategy for Malta Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fsecure2govmt2Ftsdu2Ffileaspx3Ff

Environmental Health Directorate Health Inspectorate Services Continental Business Centre Triq il-Ferrovija Santa Venera SVR 9018 Malta

9

this can lead to animal fouling Boats berthing at the Mġarr harbour have road tankers which collect sewage from boats as

the discharge of black water is not permitted

Assessment for the potential proliferation of Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) require a nutrient rich body of water light and high temperatures As discussed above the Bays receive nutrients that are carried by storm water runoff during the winter months

Having said this the Bays do not receive heavy loads of nutrients during the bathing season therefore it is likely that bathing waters are not at risk of excessive growth of cyanobacteria

Assessment of the potential for proliferation of macro-algae andor phytoplankton

Phytoplankton growth depends on carbon dioxide nitrates phosphates and silicic acid No tests recording parameters of these chemicals seem to have been carried out in the bathing waters However given the context of the surrounding landscape

and land uses in the area the bathing waters at Ħondoq ir-Rummien and Zewwieqa Bay are not currently at risk of proliferation of macro-algae or phytoplankton

What should one do if a pollution incident is noticed

If one sees a water pollution incident you should immediately contact the Environmental Health Directorate through the Automated Telephone System which is operated 24 hours Phone 21827146

Or by calling the Environmental Health Directorate during Office Hours

Phone 21337333

Or After Office Hours Weekends Public Holidays

Malta ndash 79509918 Gozo ndash 79509919

When a pollution incident is reported or pollution is found to be affecting the water quality of official bathing areas an immediate investigation is instigated by the Environmental Health Officers All possible sources of pollution within the area are checked together with the relevant Competent Authorities In addition a resample will be collected to monitor whether the beach is still polluted

10

Bathing waters may be closed by the Environmental Health Directorate in accordance with the provisions of Legal Notice 125 of 2008 Regulation 7 until the

water quality has improved and levels of bacteria are within mandatory standards in accordance to the provisions of Regulation 8 of the same legal notice

General Contact Details

Address

Telephone +356 21337333 Fax +356 21344767 Email complaintsphgovmt mhigovmt URL httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx

References

Axiak V (2004) National Action Plan for Malta for the Reduction and Elimination of Land Based Pollution Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fwwwmepaorgmt2Ffileaspx3Ff3D3524ampei=J49_UYnaI8u_PIKcgcAJampusg=AFQjCNExrnJHRS3oq1vfkrGoojDXcfCfiAampbvm=bv45921128bs1dYms

Axiak V (2004) National Diagnostic Analysis for Malta for the reduction and elimination of

land based pollution Version 22 January 2004 Brigulio L Cassar G Camilleri MAxiak V Et al (2004) Draft sustainable development

strategy for Malta Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fsecure2govmt2Ftsdu2Ffileaspx3Ff

Environmental Health Directorate Health Inspectorate Services Continental Business Centre Triq il-Ferrovija Santa Venera SVR 9018 Malta

10

Bathing waters may be closed by the Environmental Health Directorate in accordance with the provisions of Legal Notice 125 of 2008 Regulation 7 until the

water quality has improved and levels of bacteria are within mandatory standards in accordance to the provisions of Regulation 8 of the same legal notice

General Contact Details

Address

Telephone +356 21337333 Fax +356 21344767 Email complaintsphgovmt mhigovmt URL httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx

References

Axiak V (2004) National Action Plan for Malta for the Reduction and Elimination of Land Based Pollution Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fwwwmepaorgmt2Ffileaspx3Ff3D3524ampei=J49_UYnaI8u_PIKcgcAJampusg=AFQjCNExrnJHRS3oq1vfkrGoojDXcfCfiAampbvm=bv45921128bs1dYms

Axiak V (2004) National Diagnostic Analysis for Malta for the reduction and elimination of

land based pollution Version 22 January 2004 Brigulio L Cassar G Camilleri MAxiak V Et al (2004) Draft sustainable development

strategy for Malta Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=1ampcad=rjaampved=0CDEQFjAAampurl=https3A2F2Fsecure2govmt2Ftsdu2Ffileaspx3Ff

Environmental Health Directorate Health Inspectorate Services Continental Business Centre Triq il-Ferrovija Santa Venera SVR 9018 Malta

11

3D1078ampei=8pF_Uav2JMbXPNOWgcgLampusg=AFQjCNHOEbEdUtLOQpDrlbaOfiDX_Cw2hAampbvm=bv45921128bs1dYms

European Environment Agency (2012) Bathing water results 2012 ndash Malta Malta Environment Planning Authority (2011) Water Management Catchment Plan

Available httpswwwgooglecommturlsa=tamprct=jampq=ampesrc=sampsource=webampcd=2ampcad=rjaampved=0CDcQFjABampurl=http3A2F2Fwwwmepaorgmt2Ffileaspx3Ff3D5832ampei=1pF_Ue-NMIWZO-uhgcACampusg=AFQjCNHzWJOfl2tlO0oHgUjLrye1EZWPJQampbvm=bv45921128bs1dYms

Ministry of Health ndash Available (httpsehealthgovmtHealthPortalpublic_healthenvironmental-

healthhealth_inspectorateenv_hlt_risk_managementenvhealth_bathingwater09aspx)

Version Control

Version number

Date Next review due

Comments

271 June 2013