Case Study: Reverse vending machine blocking water inlet

Case Study: Reverse vending machine blocking water inlet

Published August 28, 2024

The complaint

Farmers complained against the positioning of a bottle return machine that blocked the water pipe that directed rainwater to their reservoir at Mqabba.

The investigation

The Commissioner found that the permit for this machine has not yet been issued by the Planning Authority and asked for common sense to prevail by moving this machine a few meters in order to allow the easy flow of rainwater to the farmers’ reservoir.  Following weeks of inaction during the rainy season, the Commissioner suggested the shifting of this machine away from the inlet as soon as possible or by else by temporarily raising it on masonry blocks in order to allow the free flow of water.

After the farmers’ right to collect water from the street was raised by the Local Council, the Commissioner highlighted that it is not right to question the farmers’ water-collection rights when the farmers in the area were doing the right thing and collecting and re-using rainwater.  The Local Council should rather promote and aid similar initiatives.

Conclusions and recommendations

The Commissioner reiterated again that this machine should be moved and even recommended compensation for the farmers’ loss of water and enforcement action by the Planning Authority and the Police.

Outcome

Following immediate intervention by the Police the machine was moved and the Planning Authority imposed the introduction of sanctioning in the relative permit application.