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
All (181)
All information sent (68) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (33) ·
Some information sent but not all held (32) ·
Information not held (27) ·
Not upheld (6) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (6) ·
Not required to fulfill request (4) ·
Decision Notice - Complaint not upheld (2) ·
Vexatious request (1) ·
Upheld - partial (1) ·
Repeated request (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-07-20 | Environmental surveys to include all Flora and Fauna at Scard/Earystane | Information not held |
| 2023-07-20 | Survey / Plans and Scope of works Scard Earystane windfarm | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2023-07-19 | Earystane & Scards, Sulby & Druidale | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-07-10 | Quality of Manx drinking water. | All information sent |
| 2023-07-04 | Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-06-22 | Details of SCARD land lease and all access points | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-06-07 | Sewage Treatment | All information sent |
| 2023-05-16 | The Island's drinking water capacity | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-04-21 | Water leakage rates | All information sent |
| 2023-04-11 | Purchase of Glen Garwick | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-03-06 | EV tariff information for years 2018 to 2022 | All information sent |
| 2023-02-07 | EV Tariff Fair Useage Policy | All information sent |
| 2022-12-23 | Internet cameras | All information sent |
| 2022-10-18 | Gas Import | All information sent |
| 2022-09-07 | Publication of Responses to FOI Requests | All information sent |
| 2022-08-29 | Douglas Flood Mitigation Feasibility Study Overarching Report - JBA | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the cost paid to Jeremy Benn Associates Limited for the July 2019 Douglas Flood Mitigation Feasibility Study. The Manx Utilities Authority confirmed the total payment amount was £56,767.54 excluding VAT. | ||
| 2022-08-22 | Annual Electricity Usage Isle of Man | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for detailed electricity usage data broken down by dwelling type, bedrooms, and occupants for the last 10 years and monthly data for 2019-2021. The Manx Utilities Authority disclosed that they do not hold the specific demographic breakdowns requested but provided aggregate annual and quarterly electricity demand figures in millions of kWh by tariff type. | ||
| 2022-05-26 | Number of accounts | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the total number of active electricity accounts and a breakdown between domestic and business users. The Manx Utilities Authority provided figures for active meters and properties but clarified that these do not directly correlate to account numbers due to multiple meters per account or properties. | ||
| 2022-05-20 | Communications with Manx Gas | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought all written communications between Manx Utilities and Manx Gas regarding debts and payments since March 31, 2022. Manx Utilities provided a summary of invoices and payments along with redacted email chains, withholding personal data such as signatures and phone numbers under data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2022-05-04 | Raggat | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the cost of demolishing Glenfaba House at The Raggat and whether the site remained empty due to objections from Knockaloe Beg. The authority disclosed the demolition cost but refused to answer the second part, citing it as a rhetorical question and noting that the reasons were already available in public press coverage. | ||
| 2022-04-26 | Costs of maintaining and servicing Laxey and Baldrine sewage system | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought property counts, population estimates, income, and cost breakdowns for the Laxey and Baldrine sewage networks, along with costs for a failed planning application. Manx Utilities provided property and population data based on census figures but refused to disclose specific income and cost breakdowns due to lack of granular data and the substantial compilation required. | ||
| 2022-04-20 | Numbers employed by Manx Utilities | All information sent |
| A request was made to Manx Utilities Authority for employment statistics and total salary expenditure as of 31 March 2022. The authority disclosed the total headcount, the split between full-time and part-time staff, and the total annual salary cost. | ||
| 2022-04-07 | Overflows from treatment works and Combined Sewage Overflows | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Manx Utilities Authority regarding the number of sewage treatment works and combined sewage overflows equipped with UV disinfection and their discharge locations. The authority disclosed that zero facilities have operational UV disinfection and estimated that approximately 60 overflows exist, with one-third discharging into rivers. | ||
| 2022-03-23 | Power generation figures and power station active hours | All information sent |
| The request sought electricity generation figures and operational schedules for the Pulrose power station over a 60-day period. The Manx Utilities Authority disclosed that the CCGT station ran continuously while the Diesel station operated on 13 specific days, providing total output figures and a detailed start/stop schedule. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2022-02-21 | Manx Gas | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought communications and meeting minutes between Manx Gas and Manx Utilities regarding price increases, gas purchasing, and outstanding debts from September 2021 to February 2022. The authority released some email correspondence highlighting disputes over meeting schedules and unpaid invoices, but the outcome was partially exempt. | ||
| 2022-02-08 | Enhancements to salary packages | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for a list of all staff job titles with salary ranges and details regarding private health care provisions. The Manx Utilities Authority refused the salary request due to the substantial compilation required and denied the health care requests as they were substantially similar to information provided in recent overlapping FOI requests. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2022-01-06 | IRIS Sewage system running costs | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought total running costs for the IRIS sewage system for 2020/2021, including admin, wages, and maintenance. The authority disclosed energy consumption and costs for pumping stations and the Meary Veg site but refused to provide other cost breakdowns due to the substantial compilation required. | ||
| 2021-12-13 | MU Funded - Health Care | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for the cost of private healthcare for 27 former MEA staff and their job specifications, but the Manx Utilities Authority refused to provide this data. | ||
| 2021-12-13 | MU Funded - Private Health Care | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for the names and job titles of 27 Manx Utilities Authority staff members receiving funded private health care. The authority refused to disclose this information, citing exemptions for personal data and data protection principles. | ||
| 2021-12-08 | Staff grades/salaries etc | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for staff grades, salary ranges, and details on salary enhancements like private healthcare and cars at the Manx Utilities Authority. The authority disclosed that salary scales are publicly available and explained that private healthcare is a legacy contractual benefit rather than an enhancement, while vehicle allocation is based on role necessity. | ||
| 2021-11-29 | Free private health treatment | Upheld - partial |
| The requester asked for a list of Manx Utilities Authority employees receiving free private health treatment, but the authority could not provide specific names or grades. Instead, they disclosed that 27 staff members receive this benefit under legacy contracts from the former Manx Electricity Authority. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2021-11-01 | Extracts from the Minutes of the Manx Utilities Authority meetings | Decision Notice - Complaint not upheld |
| The requester sought extracts from Manx Utilities Authority meeting minutes discussing the Peel/West Sewage Treatment Works from December 2020 to November 2021. The Authority provided minutes detailing the 'call for sites' process, funding delays, and feasibility discussions regarding alternative locations and safety zones. | ||
| 2021-08-30 | 5G Safety Diligence | Information not held |
| The requester asked for safety data and due diligence regarding 5G usage by Isle of Man government departments. The Manx Utilities Authority responded that they do not hold this information because 5G was not considered for their Smart Metering programme. | ||
| 2021-06-14 | Athol Avenue Substation | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a plan showing ownership of the St Georges Crescent Substation and risk assessments regarding antisocial fires. Manx Utilities provided a redacted 2004 lease plan but withheld risk assessments for non-MUA areas and personal signatures. | ||
| 2021-02-09 | Laxey Flood Feasibility report - November 2019 | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for a copy of the 'Laxey Flood Feasibility report' dated November 2019, but the Manx Utilities Authority refused to provide it because the document is already publicly accessible and flood management records have since been transferred to the Department of Infrastructure. | ||
| 2021-02-09 | Flood risk asset register | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a flood risk asset register and details on the classification of the MER weir structure as a historical asset. The Manx Utilities Authority responded that they do not hold this information as flood management records were transferred to the Department of Infrastructure in October 2020. | ||
| 2020-08-10 | Peel Sewage Treatment Plant | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for minutes, reports, and decision-making details regarding the Peel Sewage Treatment Plant from its first proposal to the present day. The Manx Utilities Authority refused to send new information, citing that the data is already reasonably accessible through previous FOI responses and public planning documents. | ||
| 2020-08-05 | JBA Post Incident review - Glen Road flooding October 2019 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the JBA Post Incident review regarding the October 2019 flooding on Glen Road, Laxey, and the authority released the final report with some information exempt. The disclosed document details the causes of the flood, including debris blockage at the MER Weir and the subsequent collapse of a highway wall. | ||
| 2020-07-08 | Timeline of smart meter cost approval | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a timeline of board and treasury approvals for smart meter costs and confirmation of Tynwald approval for an £18m spend. The authority declined to provide specific minutes, citing that the information is already reasonably accessible via Tynwald Hansard reports and the MUA website. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2020-01-27 | Raggatt Leachate holding tank | Decision Notice - Complaint not upheld |
| The requester sought clarification on which planning document referenced an above-ground leachate holding tank for the Raggatt site. The authority responded with a detailed overview of the proposed Glenfaba sewage treatment works, explaining how the facility will process Raggatt leachate to eliminate road tanker traffic, alongside descriptions of the construction, noise, and odour control measures. | ||
| 2020-01-10 | Flood Risk Assement | Not required to fulfill request |
| The requester asked for statistics on the number of developers and residents required to submit flood risk assessments since 2016. The Manx Utilities Authority refused the request, stating they do not maintain such statistics and compiling the data would require substantial effort not mandated by the Act. | ||
| 2019-11-15 | Laxey Flooding | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for a presentation and minutes from a public meeting regarding the Laxey flooding; the authority provided the presentation but confirmed they do not hold the minutes, which are being finalized by other departments. | ||
| 2019-11-12 | Baldrine and Garwick Sites for sewerage | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for details on 8 specific Baldrine sites identified for sewerage treatment works to prevent raw discharge into Laxey Bay. The Manx Utilities Authority disclosed the requested site details as an attachment, noting that the full source report is already publicly available at the Tynwald Library. | ||
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