Gibraltar dumping all of its raw sewage into Mediterranean
Summary
Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, has been dumping untreated sewage into the Mediterranean Sea because it has never had a wastewater treatment plant. The territory is now working on building a treatment plant, with a contract awarded in 2025 and plans moving forward.Key Facts
- Raw sewage from about 40,000 people and businesses in Gibraltar flows directly into the Mediterranean.
- Gibraltar does not currently have a wastewater treatment plant to clean sewage before it enters the sea.
- Pollution from sewage harms marine life and can spread harmful bacteria and chemicals.
- Gibraltar’s sewer system uses seawater, and its drinking water comes from desalination (removing salt from seawater).
- In 2017, the European court said the UK broke wastewater laws by not treating Gibraltar’s sewage, but action stopped after Brexit.
- Previous plans to build a treatment plant failed, including a 2018 project that ended when a partner company closed.
- In June 2025, Gibraltar awarded a 25-year contract to Eco Waters to design and build a new wastewater treatment plant.
- Gibraltar is investing £15 million to improve and replace old sewer pipes in the city.
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