Water pressure management and fire suppression island-wide

Summary

The requester sought information on water pressure management policies, fire safety impacts, and mitigation schemes from the Manx Utilities Authority. The response provided an overview of the Authority's leakage and pressure management operations, network statistics, and recent infrastructure projects, though the full document appears truncated.

Key Facts

• The Manx Utilities Authority manages over 1700km of water mains across 74 District Metered Areas.
• There are currently 65 Pressure Management Valves (PMVs) in operation on the network.
• The data and pressure logger network has expanded from 90 to over 260 active loggers in the past five years.
• A Satellite leakage detection program was undertaken at a cost of approximately £30,000.
• A PMV installed in Port Erin in 2022 reduced pressure by 50m, saving 350,000 litres of water per day.

Data Disclosed

• 1700km
• 74 District Metered Areas
• 65 PMV's
• 90 loggers
• 260 loggers
• £30,000
• 2022
• 50m
• 350,000 litres per day

Original Request

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

This request concerns island-wide water pressure management by the Manx Utilities Authority, specifically the intentional reduction or regulation of water pressure through the use of throttle valves, pressure-reducing valves, or similar infrastructure, and the associated implications for fire suppression systems and public safety.

To avoid doubt, this request does not seek commercially sensitive pricing information, live procurement evaluations, or security-critical technical specifications. It seeks policy-level, risk-management, and programme-level information held by the Authority.

Please provide the following information:

1. Any current or historic policies, strategies, technical standards, or operational guidance relating to the management, regulation, or reduction of water pressure across the Isle of Man, including the use of throttle valves or pressure-reducing infrastructure.

2. Information identifying areas where water pressure is intentionally reduced or regulated, including the general rationale for such measures. This may be provided in summary or high-level form (for example, by zone or category) rather than at asset-specific level.

3. Any risk assessments, reports, reviews, or internal correspondence produced since 1 January 2018 that consider the impact of reduced or regulated water pressure on:

4. fire suppression systems, including sprinkler systems;

5. fire hydrant performance; or

6. building fire safety and resilience.

7. Details of any mitigation measures, schemes, or programmes offered or supported by the Manx Utilities Authority to address risks arising from insufficient water pressure, including (but not limited to) assistance for water storage tanks, booster pumps, or related infrastructure.

8. Where such schemes exist, the following summary information:

9. the existence and duration of the scheme(s);

10. eligibility criteria;

11. the number of applications received, approved, and rejected; and

12. the total value of any funding or grants awarded.

13. Any correspondence or formal communications since 1 January 2018 between the Manx Utilities Authority and:

14. the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service; or

15. Isle of Man Government departments

16. relating to water pressure adequacy for fire suppression or building fire safety.

For the avoidance of doubt, I consider there to be a strong public interest in disclosure of the information requested, given its relevance to public safety, fire suppression capability, insurance risk, and the resilience of critical infrastructure.

Should the Authority consider that any information requested is qualified exempt information, I request that the public interest balancing exercise required under Part 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 be fully undertaken and explained with sufficient detail to identify the specific prejudice or harm relied upon, the likelihood and severity of that prejudice, and how, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure, in accordance with section 18(2) of the Act and section 3 of the Freedom of Information Act Code of Practice.

If any part of this request is considered exempt, please provide the non-exempt information and specify the statutory basis relied upon for each exemption claimed.

Thank you for your time.