Published On: Monday 21 May 2018 11:30

On 15 May 2018 Tynwald debated the best way forward following publication of an Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee report for Peel, St Johns and the central valley, and the Independent Review of the regional sewage treatment strategy for all of the areas being considered for sewage treatment in phase 2 of the regional sewage treatment strategy (RSTS2).

Chairman Dr Alex Allinson MHK said, “I was pleased that Tynwald agreed with the findings of the Independent Review and voted that Manx Utilities with its team of expert engineers proceed without delay with RSTS2 to bring clean beaches to Peel, Laxey and Baldrine in keeping with the ‘Programme for Government’ objectives.”

Dr Allinson went on to say, “During the Tynwald debate there were concerns raised about the integrity of the sewerage system in Lower Douglas and the risk of pollution into the River Glass. I would therefore like to reassure members of the public that Douglas does have sufficient capacity to deal with both the surface water and foul sewage within the catchment without the requirement for a pumping station at QuarterBridge. Sewer network improvements made over the last 20 years have reduced the amount of surface water and ground water entering the system, and made an expensive pumping station at QuarterBridge unnecessary. This was an idea originally suggested to transfer sewage from the west of the Island to Meary Veg as part of the IRIS scheme which has since been abandoned and replaced by regional sewage treatment. 

I would also like to assure residents of Douglas regarding the release of storm sewage into the Douglas River.  All combined sewerage systems both on the Isle of Man and worldwide have contingency overflow arrangements to safely discharge excess screened storm water during prolonged and intensive rainfall events.  For Douglas this does mean that when the system is overloaded due to very heavy rain, it is designed to overflow into the River Douglas.  The overflow is finely screened to prevent any sewage debris entering the river, and only occurs during storm conditions when the river flows are particularly high.”

Dr Allinson confirmed that, “The Manx Utilities’ Board has recently approved a large scheme to create an attenuation tank in the Westmoreland Road area to help alleviate the surge of surface water from that part of Douglas flowing on to Peel Road and Hills Meadow.”

In summary, Dr Allinson reiterated, “We are looking forward to getting on with the project and making a positive difference to our Island Environment for both this generation and generations to come”.