The GSD has issued a statement highlighting ongoing concerns over Gibraltar's storm drainage systems and sewage issues.

A statement from the GSD follows below:

Complaints continue to be received on maintenance work concerning Gibraltar’s main storm drainage  systems, especially after the impact of recent heavy rainfalls and subsequent widespread flooding which  seem to plague Gibraltar year on year. It is evidently clear that the current drainage systems in place are  inadequate, showing an obvious inability to cope with heavy rainfalls and water ingress, yet the Government  fails to address these issues effectively. These problems are evident in Wellington Front as in other places.  Responsibility does not lie with civil servants who are left fire-fighting because of an absence of a proper  plan to deal effectively with the issue 14 years after the GSLP/Libs were first elected. 

Ultimately, political responsibility lies with the elected government. With increases in our population  growth, coupled with their failure to plan and adequately address our infrastructural needs, the problems  have been exacerbated.  

It is also unacceptable that popular tourist hotspot areas, such as Ocean Village and Queensway Quay Marina  are being embarrassingly subjected to the stench of raw sewage. With respect to Ocean Village Marina, this  is an area which the Government have asserted that it has no responsibility for – so it appears, it will not be  doing anything about it. Sewage is also directly seeping through the city walls at the Wellington Front – a  problem which, as reported, appears to be worsening. Reports over the weekend also confirmed that the  sewage seeping out of the wall at Wellington Front has now made its way into the sea around the Queensway  Quay Marina causing damage to the marine ecosystem in that area.  

If that were not enough, it is also notable that the waste treatment plant project is severely delayed and as  such raw sewage continues to be pumped directly into the ocean by the lighthouse area on a daily basis  (another popular tourist hotspot). These are environmental and public health priorities which the  Government should have adequately dealt with after 14 years in office. Regrettably, these are not the only  areas impacted.  

The Shadow Minister for the Environment, Giovanni Origo, notes the following: 

“This is not only a hazard, but an unpleasant sight for both locals and tourist visitors alike. Do we not care  about the impressions we give our visitors but more importantly about the health of our citizens? How can  we get to a point where maintenance is neglected to such an extent, that we can visibly see the raw and  untreated sewage pour out of our city walls, as if it were a water stream forming part of some tourist  attraction? It is nevertheless hoped, that in raising these serious public health concerns, the Government will  at long last deliver a greener and cleaner Gibraltar. After 14 years in office what they cannot do is continue  to blame the past. They have been in power long enough to address all these issues.”