Public abattoir’s main gate and water tower given highest level of protection

The Public Abattoir’s Main Gate, Water Tower and their visual link have been given the highest protection status as Grade 1 properties by the Planning Authority after consulting with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

The Water Tower, which is the only structure of its type in the Maltese Islands and is considered an important industrial heritage monument, was constructed in the 1930s to serve the needs of the Abattoir. The Main Gate was built in 1896 at around the same time that the Public Abattoir started its operation in Marsa.

Martin Saliba, Chairperson of the PA’s Executive Council noted that “Unfortunately, industrial heritage tends to fall victim to the industry itself as technological advancement and new operational needs demand structural changes. It is perceived as being dispensable. Through the Grade 1 scheduling of this Water Tower, we want to send out a clear message that our industrial heritage must not only be appreciated but protected for future generations.” He added, “we are also proud to have supported the University of Malta with a €70,000 grant for the infrastructural investment that was needed to make the tower a new educational and research station in new material engineering and structural performance monitoring.”

Using highly reinforced concrete, which was considered an innovative material for its time, the large 15m structure has a cylindrical reservoir that can carry a capacity of 400 cubic meters of water. The reservoir, which has a diameter of 10 meters, is supported by 12 slender reinforced concrete columns with a foundation ring beam.

The water tower suffered considerable degradation and ruin over the years, not only from its close proximity to the sea in the Grand Harbour, but also as a result of the storage

of water with high salt content. Given its state of neglect, on two occasions it was contemplated that the structure should get demolished.

The University of Malta, under the guidance of Prof. Ruben Paul Borg, took it upon itself to safeguard this unique industrial structure by carrying out an intensive restoration project in collaboration with the Abattoir.

Its restoration which was completed over the past few months was based on innovative principles and new ultra-high-performance self-healing materials.

The structure has been put back in operation and is being used again by the Public Abattoir as part of its water storage and water management system. The thermal mass of concrete increases the temperature of water stored in the tank resulting in considerable energy savings for the Abattoir’s operation.

The restoration of the Water Tower recently received a special commendation at the 2021 MASP Awards. The jury commended the project for having been based on extensive research, advanced structural modelling and the development of new high-performance self-healing concrete, which sets out the methodology for such future interventions.

In previous years, the Authority scheduled other industrial heritage properties such as Blackley Bakery in Pieta, underground Flour Mills in Siggiewi, Munxar, San Gwann and San Pawl il-Bahar, a Sea Water Distilling Station in Sliema, the Farsons Brewery in Birkirkara, the Gzira pumping station and numerous windmills.