Manx Utilities Authority
181 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 37.6%
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-07-01 | Health Impact from current Power Plants | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a study on the health costs of emissions from Pulrose and Peel power stations, specifically regarding NOx and SOx. The Manx Utilities Authority disclosed a document titled 'Appendix 13' which estimates the annual cost of non-GHG emissions at £11.57 million and discusses the relevance of these impacts to social housing and climate justice principles. | ||
| 2024-06-25 | Wind Turbine Costs | Vexatious request |
| A request for detailed cost assumptions, turbine specifications, and business case documents regarding the Earystane wind project was refused by the Manx Utilities Authority as vexatious. The authority cited a lack of clarification from the requester and argued that many questions sought opinions or public statements rather than recorded information. | ||
| 2024-06-18 | Prepaid meter disconnections | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of prepaid meter electricity disconnections over the past five years, but the authority disclosed that historical data is unavailable due to system limitations, providing only a recent six-week statistic instead. | ||
| 2024-06-17 | Releasing Raw Sewage into Peel Bay | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for three years of detailed sewage discharge and defect statistics for Peel Bay, but the authority only provided defect data and partial flow records starting from 2022 due to data format limitations and server failures. | ||
| 2024-06-05 | On-call information | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Manx Utilities Authority regarding on-call staff hours, pay rates, and response times. The authority clarified that they operate a 'Standby' system rather than a traditional on-call arrangement, providing specific ranges for coverage hours, payments, and typical response times. | ||
| 2024-05-28 | projected costs of windfarm | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a full financial appraisal and environmental impact data for a proposed windfarm, but the Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held because a manufacturer has not yet been appointed. | ||
| 2024-05-28 | windfarm effects on the airport | Information not held |
| The requester asked for details on revised airport procedures required if a windfarm proposal proceeds, but the Manx Utilities Authority stated they do not hold this information as they do not advise on aviation procedures. | ||
| 2024-05-20 | Licence for raw sewage discharge into Marine Nature Reserves | Information not held |
| The requester asked for DEFA Byelaw 14 permits for raw sewage discharge into Laxey Bay and West Coast Marine Nature Reserves from 2018 to 2024. The Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held because discharges are regulated under the Water Pollution Act 1993, and Byelaw 20 exempts relevant authorities from the Marine Nature Reserve Byelaws. | ||
| 2024-05-07 | Wind speed tolerances | Information not held |
| The requester asked for specific wind speed tolerance data (cut-in, cut-out, survival speeds) for proposed turbines at Earystane & Scard, but the Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held because no final decision on the turbine make or model has been made. | ||
| 2024-05-07 | Estimated project costs Windfarm | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a breakdown explaining the cost increase of the Isle of Man windfarm project from £23.5m to £36m. The Manx Utilities Authority responded by providing a cost breakdown and explaining that the increase is due to updated turbine design ranges and the inclusion of contingency margins. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Smart meters | All information sent |
| The request sought clarification on the Isle of Man's smart meter rollout, including its link to government climate strategies, cost implications, and infrastructure details. The Manx Utilities Authority disclosed that the project supports the Island Plan's decarbonisation goals, clarified that no new sites were acquired due to De Minimis exemptions, and outlined future IIoT applications. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Smart meters | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for detailed cost breakdowns, ongoing service fees, and liability information regarding the Isle of Man's smart meter programme. The authority partially disclosed information but redacted specific financial details and vendor costs citing commercial and economic interest exemptions. | ||
| 2024-04-15 | EV Charge Points | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for detailed data on EV charge points installed by public bodies was partially fulfilled, with the authority disclosing total procurement costs, annual revenue, and maintenance records while citing data accessibility and technical limitations for withholding specific per-unit revenue and usage rankings. | ||
| 2024-03-26 | Sewage works effluent results | All information sent |
| 2024-03-15 | Organised events for profit | All information sent |
| 2024-03-12 | Information on Installation of ASHP | All information sent |
| 2024-02-06 | MUA Landownings | Information not held |
| 2024-01-16 | Drainage adoption at Royal Park and Gibbs Park, Ramsey | All information sent |
| 2024-01-15 | Cost of gas | All information sent |
| 2023-12-21 | Provison of electricity to the NSC | All information sent |
| 2023-11-28 | Cost of advertising re smart meters | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2023-11-21 | Acoustic survey - Earystane & Scard | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2023-11-21 | Private generation of electricity | All information sent |
| 2023-11-20 | Schedule 2 paragraph 9 of the Electricity Act 1996 | All information sent |
| 2023-11-01 | Compensation payable at Earystane & Scard proposed windfarm site. | Information not held |
| 2023-11-01 | Agricultural shows | All information sent |
| 2023-10-03 | Meters and Trilliant | All information sent |
| 2023-10-03 | Who owns it, confusing | Not upheld |
| 2023-09-18 | Provision of Ecology date re Feasibility and Environmental Survey | Information not held |
| 2023-09-15 | Electricity Disconnection Policy | All information sent |
| 2023-09-14 | Data Set SODAR Device Week 1 | Information not held |
| 2023-09-13 | Delegated Powers | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-09-12 | Energy unit cost | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2023-09-12 | Painting Lamp posts | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-09-11 | Work Permit Provision | Information not held |
| 2023-09-11 | Street Lighting Correspondence between MUA & Ramsey Town Commissioners | All information sent |
| 2023-09-07 | Manx telecom solar panels | All information sent |
| 2023-08-30 | Go Green Isle of Man | All information sent |
| 2023-08-25 | Diesel & Gas | All information sent |
| 2023-08-22 | Wind Farms | Information not held |
| 2023-08-14 | Further detail on rates bill- water and sewerage | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-08-08 | Interconnector | All information sent |
| 2023-08-08 | Wardell Armstrong appointment | All information sent |
| 2023-08-03 | Customer arrears and disconnections | All information sent |
| 2023-08-01 | None disclosure agreement s | All information sent |
| 2023-07-31 | windfarms | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-07-27 | Wardell-Armstrong, initial environmental and technical survey | Information not held |
| 2023-07-24 | Electrical generation Hydro Electric Plant | All information sent |
| 2023-07-24 | Bureau Veritas Study 2022 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-07-24 | Location Plans submitted through DIG | All information sent |