In line with the EU Bathing Water Directive, the Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health has issued a precautionary advisory against swimming at Xlendi Bay.
This recommendation follows the heavy rainfall on Friday 20th June, which caused significant runoff from the Xlendi Valley. The water carried soil and debris from Rabat and several other areas in central-southern Gozo into the sea, potentially compromising water quality in the bay.
Authorities warn that this may pose a health risk to swimmers. As a result, swimming is currently not recommended until further notice.
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are actively conducting water quality tests at four designated monitoring points in Xlendi – site codes D04, D05, D06, and D07 – to assess any potential contamination. However, the Directorate has not yet determined how long the advisory will remain in place.
Warning signs have been placed on-site to alert the public. Once the water quality is confirmed to be safe, the signs will be removed and a new public statement will be issued to announce that swimming can safely resume.
For more information, the public is encouraged to contact the Environmental Health Directorate at 21337333 (available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) or email wrau.ehd@gov.mt.
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