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Rainwater Management

How does rain water impact WSC Waste Water Operations?

  • WSC Sewer network infrastructure extends to over 1500 Km of gravity pipes, pressure mains and galleries.
  • This network is designed to cater only for the urban waste water produced from households and industrial waste water compliant to the Sewer Discharge Control Regulations (for more info click here).
  • Discharge of rain water into the sewer will cause the pipe network to fill-up. This will cause manholes to over flow to road, causing flooding of streets and backflows into private properties not to mention the extensive damage caused to the sewerage infrastructure.
Damage to road infrastructure & manhole
Overflowing Manhole
Back flow of sewage into households
Overflowing sewage & rain water in street & ending up into 3rd party property
Overflowing sewage & rain water in street & ending up into 3rd party property
Back flow of sewage into households
Damage to road infrastructure & manhole

Other impacts to WSC WW operations include:

  • Increased electrical costs for pumping of this water;
  • Disruption of the Sewage treatment plant process & overflows to sea;
  • Overflows to fields/contamination of beaches & coastal areas;
  • Increased cleaning & maintenance costs;
Overflow from the Gozo STP following a storm due to hydraulic overload of the plant.
Damage to manholes which spill waste water onto nearby fields
WW Pumping stations marked in orange shown that the sump is full and it is overflowing to its surroundings
WW Pumping stations marked in orange shown that the sump is full and it is overflowing to its surroundings
Damage to manholes which spill waste water onto nearby fields
Overflow from the Gozo STP following a storm due to hydraulic overload of the plant

How can I help fix this?

  • Make sure that all the gullies/gutters located in exposed areas are not connected to the sewer network.
  • If you notice any illegal connections, you can submit a report to the Water Services Corporation by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling on our freephone: 8007 6400.
Rainwater and Sewer Systems Should always be kept seperate

Freqently Asked Questions

Can rain water runoff be discharged to sewer?

  • NO! It is illegal to discharge rain water runoff originating from an exposed area into the sewer system;

What constitutes an exposed area?

  • Any area exposed to rainfall such as but not limited to: roofs, yards, shafts, balconies, terraces, pool areas & verandas.

What if I have a pet? How can I go about washing my terrace/balcony?

  • It is recommended that the solid waste is collected and disposed of separately. The area can be scrubbed using soap however the soapy water should be mopped up and the resulting waste water discharged into the sewer network. It is not advisable to discharge soapy water onto the road.

I have a small internal shaft with the gulley connected to sewer. Can I cover the shaft?

  • WSC recommends to re-route the connection however if this is not possible, a shaft cover can only be installed if permitted by the Planning Authority.

I have a well. Can I connect its overflow to the sewer network?

  • No. Well/reservoir overflows are not to be connected to sewer but should be diverted to the road or storm water gutter by gravity or through the use of a pump.

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