Manx Utilities Authority
68 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 100.0%
The Freedom of Information requests reveal a Manx Utilities Authority (MUA) that is increasingly transparent about high-level environmental and financial risks, yet remains guarded regarding granular operational data and commercial negotiations. Major disclosures have exposed significant environmental liabilities, including the admission that no sewage facilities utilize UV disinfection (Case 2373846) and the calculation of £11.57 million in annual health costs from power station emissions (Case 3951913). The authority has also been candid about operational failures, such as the seawater contamination incident in Douglas (Case 646165) and the lack of data on raw sewage volumes due to telemetry issues (Case 3919250). However, a recurring pattern of obstruction emerges in requests concerning major infrastructure projects like the Peel Sewage Treatment Works and the Cairn Vie windfarm. In these instances, MUA frequently cites 'commercial sensitivity' or claims data is 'not held' to withhold specific cost breakdowns, design plans, and contractor details (Cases 355725, 3843909, 4226913), often directing requesters to public reports that lack the requested specificity.
Key Cases
Case 3951913 — Reveals a staggering estimated annual cost of £11.57 million for non-GHG emissions from power stations, linking utility operations directly to significant public health and social housing impacts, a figure previously unknown to the public.
Case 2373846 — Discloses that zero sewage facilities in the Isle of Man have operational UV disinfection and that approximately 20 combined sewage overflows discharge directly into rivers, raising critical questions about water safety and infrastructure standards.
Case 3843909 — Exposes a significant cost escalation in the windfarm project from £23.5m to £36m, attributed to design changes and contingency margins, highlighting financial volatility in major renewable energy investments.
Case 646165 — Documents a major operational failure where seawater was accidentally pumped into Douglas freshwater pipes, with the authority admitting to costs of £14,723.83 and invoicing the Steam Packet Company, illustrating systemic risks in water management.
Case 2116457 — Uncovers that 27 staff members receive free private health treatment under legacy contracts, sparking a debate on the fairness of public sector benefits and the transparency of 'exemplary' employment costs.
Related FOI Stories
Peel Sewage Treatment Works & Infrastructure Costing — #355725, #355437, #355729, #355733, #355735
Wind Energy Projects: Cairn Vie & Earystane — #3843609, #3843909, #3887629, #3887729, #3939933
Environmental Discharges & Water Quality — #554134, #646165, #902593, #1028829, #1044361
Staff Benefits, Salaries & Employment — #466533, #2116458, #2116457, #2136578, #2143337
Energy Costs, Interconnectors & Smart Meters — #849965, #931113, #1358041, #2295341, #2346933
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-03 | Combined Sewage Overflow | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of untreated sewage discharges from the Lake Road Combined Sewage Overflow in 2021 and how many lasted over three hours. The authority disclosed that data was only available until September 2021 due to a telemetry malfunction, provided historical data for 2017-2020, and clarified that the discharged liquid is screened 'storm sewage' rather than raw human sewage. | ||
| 2022-02-25 | Hedging | All information sent |
| The request sought the percentage of gas hedged by Manx Utilities for electricity generation and Manx Gas supply over the previous three years and the current year. The authority disclosed specific hedging percentages for both categories, noting that gas for UK electricity exports is not hedged. | ||
| 2022-02-07 | Health Care Corporate Policy | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the cost and employee coverage of the Manx Utilities Authority's annual corporate health care policy. The authority disclosed that the total cost for the financial year ending 2021 was approximately £74k and that the policy covers 41 staff members. | ||
| 2022-01-21 | Raw Sewage at Peel and Laxey | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Utilities Authority for data on raw sewage discharge volumes in Peel and Laxey bays and sea water testing frequency. The authority disclosed estimated daily sewage volumes, clarified that discharges include significant groundwater infiltration, and stated that sea water quality testing is the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. | ||
| 2022-01-06 | Land Purchases | All information sent |
| The request sought details on land purchases by Manx Utilities Authority since January 2018, including location, cost, and intended use. The authority disclosed six specific transactions, ranging from small substation sites to a major sewage treatment facility. | ||
| 2021-11-29 | Exemplary Commitment Payments | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a list of all Exemplary Commitment Payments made by the Manx Utilities Authority since its formation. The authority disclosed that only one such payment of £10,000 was made in April 2014 to a supervisor in Network Services. | ||
| 2020-06-09 | Wayleave for telecommunications | All information sent |
| The requester asked if landowners were paid wayleaves for telecommunications cables laid alongside gas pipelines since 2011 and if those cables were used for purposes other than pipeline management. The authority confirmed that no payments were made during this period and that the cables are used solely for utility control and monitoring. | ||
| 2019-11-06 | MUA's list of sites for the Laxey Sewerage works. | All information sent |
| The requester asked the Manx Utilities Authority to identify 40 alternative sites considered for the Laxey Sewerage works and the reasons for their rejection. The authority responded by sending all requested information, including the list of sites and comments, within five days. | ||
| 2019-11-04 | Whey pipe and power station information | All information sent |
| The request sought information on whey pipe waste volumes, CCGT power station emissions, and sewage sludge pellet production and disposal. The authority disclosed annual waste limits, confirmed no new pipe plans, provided emission analysis from 2018, and detailed sludge incineration for energy generation. | ||
| 2019-09-14 | Buildings Purchased and Demolished | All information sent |
| The request asked for the number and cost of buildings purchased and demolished by Manx Utilities Authority since October 2011. The authority disclosed that 11 properties were purchased for £1.66 million and 6 were demolished for £87,465, though individual demolition costs were withheld to protect commercial interests. | ||
| 2019-08-28 | Laxey River - request for documents around works carried out | All information sent |
| 2019-07-29 | Lead pipes | All information sent |
| The request sought information on the quantity of lead pipes in the Isle of Man water network, the presence of lead in domestic supplies, and replacement plans. The authority disclosed that 1,099 communication pipes are made of lead, no mains are lead, and no traces were found in recent testing, while noting that a full replacement date cannot be predicted. | ||
| 2019-06-13 | Gas Usage | All information sent |
| The requester asked for ten years of natural gas usage and cost figures for both the Manx Utilities Authority and the Isle of Man. The authority responded by providing a detailed table covering financial years 2009-10 to 2018-19, disclosing total purchases, sales, and specific internal usage costs. | ||
| 2019-04-29 | costs of pre-pay electricity meter key replacement | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the costs and reasons for replacing pre-pay electricity meter keys, including out-of-hours call-outs and collection at shops or headquarters. The Manx Utilities Authority disclosed that they dispatch Meter Technicians rather than engineers, explained the necessity of on-site visits for supply restoration, and provided specific internal costs for key devices and transaction fees. | ||
| 2018-08-01 | Water loss | All information sent |
| The requester asked for annual water loss figures due to leaks for Manx Utilities Authority. The authority disclosed that the known leakage level for 2015-16 was 6.99 Megalitres per day, explained the challenges in reducing it further, and noted that leakage has been halved since 1997. | ||
| 2018-05-10 | Manx Utilities Recruitment. | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of Manx Utilities recruits in the last 20 years related to staff or board members. The authority clarified the request to cover the period since its formation in 2014 and disclosed that 17 such recruits were hired. | ||
| 2018-04-09 | IRBC's installed at Balladoole STW | All information sent |
| The request sought technical specifications and operational details for Integrated Rotating Biological Contactor (IRBC) units at Balladoole Sewage Treatment Works. The authority disclosed design capacities, operational noise levels, flood risk assessments, and confirmed that the units are not airtight and rely on natural ventilation for odour control. | ||
| 2017-08-21 | annual sewage volume at MV and kWh consumption at Peel pumping station | All information sent |
| The Manx Utilities Authority responded to a Freedom of Information request by providing annual sewage volume data for Meary Veg treatment works and electricity consumption figures for the Peel promenade pumping station for the years 2012 to 2016. | ||