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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
| 2019-10-09 | project / implementation plan Laxey River | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a project implementation plan regarding the Laxey River following a 2016 report by Storm Geometrics. The Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held, clarifying that the contractor only performed a topographical survey as part of a broader national strategy. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2019-09-11 | Written report from topographical survery completed on Laxey River | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought the written report and recommendations for a 2016 topographical survey of the Laxey River, which had been omitted from a previous request. The Manx Utilities Authority provided the survey report detailing flood risk management improvements, though the overall outcome was noted as partially exempt. | ||
| 2019-08-28 | Laxey River - request for documents around works carried out | All information sent |
| 2019-08-20 | Manx Utilities replacement of manually read electricity metres | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for details on the contract to replace manually read electricity meters, including the supplier, value, and tender process. Manx Utilities disclosed that no supply contract has been signed yet, but confirmed a 2018 agreement with Trilliant for the communication network and listed five companies that responded to the tender for that system. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2019-07-15 | Ramsey Marina Proposal & Port Evolution and Development (Africa) Ltd | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester sought correspondence, meeting records, and an initial approach document regarding a proposed Ramsey Marina between Port Evolution and Development (Africa) Ltd and Manx Utilities Authority. The authority confirmed no meetings or correspondence occurred with senior leadership but released a redacted email from May 2018, withholding personal data under absolute exemption. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2019-05-17 | Ramsey Marina | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for correspondence, meeting records, and the timeline of Manx Utilities Authority's awareness regarding the Ramsey Marina proposal involving Mr. Robin Bromley Martin. The authority disclosed that no such correspondence or meetings occurred but confirmed they first learned of the proposal in mid-May 2018 via a third party. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2018-12-14 | Glenfaba House Building Survey | Information not held |
| A request was made for the detailed results of a building survey on Glenfaba House, but the Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held as the survey report is still pending. | ||
| 2018-11-28 | volume of water for agriculture | Information not held |
| The requester asked for Manx Utilities' policy on monitoring agricultural water usage, the number of agricultural customers, and specific annual water volumes for dairy, beef, and arable farming since 2011. The authority responded that it does not hold this specific data because it does not categorize non-domestic customers by business sector and some are billed by rateable value rather than metered consumption. | ||
| 2018-11-05 | Incident December 2017 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the incident report, costs, and invoicing details regarding the accidental pumping of seawater into freshwater pipes in Douglas in December 2017. The authority provided the report with redactions for personal data and legal privilege, disclosed costs of £14,723.83, and confirmed the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company was invoiced. | ||
| 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 | Glenfaba House site test borings | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for the results and conclusions of test borings at the Glenfaba House site following concerns about late-night work. The Manx Utilities Authority responded by providing technical drilling records and borehole logs, though they noted that not all requested information was held. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2018-03-07 | Population Equivalent for proposed Peel STW. | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought the Population Equivalent for the proposed Peel sewage treatment works and confirmation that it would not treat effluent from outside Peel and the former Raggatt Tip. The authority disclosed current and estimated population figures but stated it did not hold information confirming the exclusion of external catchment areas as no final designs exist. | ||
| 2018-02-19 | Peel Sewerage Treatment Works - Site Options | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the full risk assessment, including plans and drawings, for the Peel Sewerage Treatment Works site options as discussed in a November 2017 committee hearing. Manx Utilities provided some information but withheld specific details regarding personal data, commercial interests, and public business conduct. | ||
| 2018-02-08 | Design and Concept plans for proposed Peel Sewage Treatment Works | Information not held |
| A request was made for design concept plans for the proposed Peel Sewage Treatment Works at Glenfaba House, but the Manx Utilities Authority confirmed they do not hold this information as the project is in the early data collection phase. | ||
| 2017-12-07 | Ballasalla Pumping Station | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made regarding the operational history and capacity of the Ballasalla Pumping Station, to which the authority disclosed maintenance records and peak flow data but confirmed it did not hold information on upstream system capacity. | ||
| 2017-10-30 | e-llan annual accounts | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for the full annual accounts of e-llan Communications Ltd was partially refused because the documents are exempt pending publication by Tynwald, though a link to the Manx Utilities Annual Report containing extracts of e-llan's income and expenditure was provided. | ||
| 2017-09-20 | Feasability of heritage trail closure | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for feasibility studies and financial details regarding a 42-week closure of the Heritage Trail for construction access. Manx Utilities confirmed no formal feasibility report exists, disclosed that alternative private land routes were deemed unsafe or denied, and withheld personal data regarding landowner contacts. | ||
| 2017-09-01 | Spreadsheet costings for the rising mains | Information not held |
| A request was made for 25-year whole life spreadsheet costings for two specific rising mains in Peel. The Manx Utilities Authority responded that the information is not held because single cost estimates for the various pipeline options do not exist. | ||
| 2017-08-31 | Spreadsheet Costings knockaloe site and Anderson Land | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for 25-year whole life cost spreadsheets for proposed sewage works at Knockaloe and Anderson Land was partially fulfilled, with specific budget estimates withheld due to commercial sensitivity and other data confirmed as not held. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2017-08-14 | Whole life costings for rising mains Peel STW | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought whole life costings for rising mains to three proposed Peel sewage treatment works sites. Manx Utilities disclosed costs for two viable options but withheld information for the third site as it was not held, citing commercial and economic interest exemptions for the remaining sensitive data. | ||
| 2017-08-02 | Whole life costings for Peel site 3,knockaloe and Kirk Michael | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought whole life costings for sewage works at Peel site 3, Knockaloe, and Kirk Michael; costings were provided for Peel site 3 and Knockaloe, but information for Kirk Michael was withheld as it was not held due to a change in design solution. | ||
| 2017-07-06 | RSTS2 25 year whole life spreadsheets | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for 25-year whole life spreadsheets regarding regional sewage works options for Peel, St Johns, and Central Valley. Manx Utilities Authority released some information but withheld specific budget estimates citing commercial and economic interest exemptions. | ||
« Previous Page 4 of 4