Regional Sewage Treatment Update
The second phase of the Regional Sewage Treatment Strategy (RSTS2) is focused on delivering first time sewage treatment for Laxey and Baldrine as well as Peel.
Options are being fully assessed for local treatment works’ locations as well as pump away solutions to establish a positive outcome as soon as possible.
Manx Utilities have continued their dialogue with Garff MHKs, Commissioners and local interest groups, with the latest Garff Consultative Group meeting held in December and has announced a further step towards resolving sewage management in the Garff catchment through the purchase of land at Glen Garwick where the sewer network comes together. Despite the final solution being either local or pump-away a pumping station or other facilities will be required at this key location. Following the completion of activities in this area, the intention is to place the remainder of the land and property back on the open market.
Chairman of Manx Utilities, Rob Callister MHK said, “Since the disappointing rejection of the previous planning applications Manx Utilities has continued to work hard behind the scenes to progress the solution for Peel and Garff and much of the detailed work undertaken for the previous planning submissions remains valid to current considerations. The purchase of land at Glen Garwick is an affirmation that progressing the project to completion is very much a priority and puts Manx Utilities in the best position to move quickly both in this location and the Cairn site in Laxey as something has to be built in these locations, despite the final solution.”
Mr Callister went on to say, “I am content that Manx Utilities is undertaking a consistent, detailed and comprehensive assessment of all sites including those identified in the Dalrymple report of 2009 and more recently following the ‘Call for Sites’ process in April 2021. However, we must be mindful that to publicise sites of interest would be disrespectful to landowners involved, potentially prejudice the planning process and ultimately be detrimental to the public purse. We are committed to submitting planning applications later this year with a proposed completion planned for late 2024.”
Manx Utilities are designing schemes to achieve the ‘Good’ standard of the 2006 EU Bathing Water Directive as required by the Isle of Man’s Water Pollution (Bathing Water Standards and Objectives) Scheme 2021. However, additional investigations are underway to determine how Manx Utilities could support their areas of responsibility under a Blue Flag (Excellent) status, should local Commissioners wish to progress this in the future.