Garff Regional Sewage Treatment – Public Information Events
Manx Utilities will be presenting its latest plans for wastewater infrastructure in Garff at two public information events later this month: ahead of submitting a planning application next year.
Wastewater from properties in both Laxey and Baldrine currently discharge into Laxey Bay untreated. These discharges adversely impact bathing water quality and prevent Laxey Beach from being a designated bathing beach. They also see the discharge of wet wipes, sanitary products etc along with wastewater into the bay 24/7 – a situation that is no longer environmentally or socially acceptable.
Following the failed planning application for a treatment works on the Cairn site opposite Laxey Harbour, Manx Utilities went back to the drawing board taking into account feedback from the local community. Many alternate options were considered, including an updated review of the pump-away to Meary Veg option, which was discounted once again on the basis of cost, environmental impact and carbon footprint.
The proposal for Garff is to pump the wastewater from Baldrine and Laxey up to a new treatment works located on the edge of the Axnfell plantation. This location is well away from the village and is screened on three sides by dense woodland on a site which is part of DEFA’s managed plantation.
Manx Utilities always strives to listen to the local community and understand that having a treatment works within the village is not their preferred option. The Axnfell solution provides a compromise that addresses the concerns raised with the previous planning application (tankers, odour, bridge, visual amenity) without the full cost (both financial and environmental) of pumping to Meary Veg.
Chair, John Wannenburgh MHK said: “Following the proposals at Peel, currently with the Planning Inspector, I am pleased we are now progressing to address the final catchments within Garff. In the hope that all progresses as planned, we can finally complete the long-awaited Regional Sewage Treatment Strategy for our Island and in doing so, support bathing water we can be proud of for generations of community enjoyment.”
Information events are being held at Baldrine and Laxey to allow the public the opportunity to ask questions and make observations and suggestions on the proposals. The events will be held at Laxey Sailing Club in Tent Road on Wednesday 27 November and Baldrine Methodist Church Hall on the Main Road on Thursday 28 November, both days from 11am to 7:30pm.