Overflows from treatment works and Combined Sewage Overflows

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• Zero Regional Sewage Treatment Works are equipped with operational Ultra Violet disinfection.
• Zero Combined Sewage Overflows are equipped with operational Ultra Violet disinfection.
• There are an estimated 60 Combined Sewage Overflows on the Island.
• It is estimated that one-third of all overflows discharge into rivers.
• Manx Utilities is currently reviewing the public sewer network to determine the condition of existing overflows.

Data Disclosed

• 0
• 60
• one-third
• 2022-04-07
• 2022-04-13
• 2373846
• five microns

Original Request

1. How many of the Regional Sewage Treatment Works are equipped with operational Ultra Violet disinfection? 2. How many of these Regional Sewage Treatment Works Ultra Violet disinfections are pre-filtered to five microns or less? 3. How many Combined Sewage Overflows are there on the Island including those discharging via existing sewage outfalls? 4. How many Combined Sewage Overflows are equipped with operational Ultra Violet disinfection? 5. How many Combined Sewage Overflows equipped with Ultra Violet disinfection are pre-filtered to five microns or less? 6. How many Combined Sewage Overflows discharge into rivers?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Utilities PO Box 177, Douglas Isle of Man, IM99 1PS

e: enquiries@manxutilities.im t: 01624 687687 www.manxutilities.im

Our ref: 2373846 13 April 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 7 April 2022 and which states:

"1. How many of the Regional Sewage Treatment Works are equipped with operational Ultra Violet disinfection? 2. How many of these Regional Sewage Treatment Works Ultra Violet disinfections are pre-filtered to five microns or less? 3. How many Combined Sewage Overflows are there on the Island including those discharging via existing sewage outfalls? 4. How many Combined Sewage Overflows are equipped with operational Ultra Violet disinfection? 5. How many Combined Sewage Overflows equipped with Ultra Violet disinfection are pre-filtered to five microns or less? 6. How many Combined Sewage Overflows discharge into rivers?"

Our response to your questions above are as follows: 1. 0 2. N/A 3. See below 4. 0 5. N/A 6. See below Manx Utilities are currently undertaking a review of the public sewer network to determine the need for and condition of all existing combined sewer overflows. Since most of these overflows (estimated to be approximately 60 in number) are within the older sewerage catchments, previously operated by the Local Authorities, limited knowledge of their operation has historically been available.
It is estimated that a third of the overflows from all infrastructure are into rivers.

Please quote the reference number 2373846 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date. Yours sincerely