The aqueduct, located outside the limits of Victoria, which was built by the British between 1839 and 1843 to transport water from the springs at Il-Mixta and Għar Ilma, to Savina Square, in Victoria, and later on to the reservoirs below the Cittadella, is in the process of being restored by the Cultural Heritage Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo. Long considered one of Gozo’s icons, recent studies have revealed that these structures, as result of years long neglect, are in danger of collapse.
From preliminary investigations, it was revealed that various sections of the original structure were missing, whereas substantial stretches of the standing structures were experiencing structural problems. Several parts were leaning, while at least three of the arches were failing. Thus, the Ministry for Gozo was left with no other option but to commence the restoration of the site before irreversible damage was caused. Geological investigations along the whole course of the aqueducts had been completed in 2021, and temporary shoring of the main arch was subsequently set up to consolidate the existing structure. A tender for the actual restoration of the aqueducts was drafted and eventually awarded. At present the project is at the execution stage. The key milestones achieved are: all trees, bushes and thorn bushes that grew along the aqueduct have been removed; collapsed parts of the aqueduct stacked on pallets; three-dimensional photogrammetric surveys of the remains carried out and three-dimensional surveys are currently being carried out using laser scanners.
