Releasing Raw Sewage into Peel Bay

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• Manx Utilities does not hold the requested data for the full three-year period as some records only date back to 2022.
• The Peel Promenade pumping station is automated to pump only during ebbing tides during the bathing season.
• Tide data is supplied by the National Oceanography Centre and interpreted via industry-specific software.
• Hourly flow data is incomplete due to a failure of the historian server.
• Information regarding defects in the Peel pumping station and sewer network for the last three years was provided.

Data Disclosed

• 2,900 cubic meters
• 2022
• 3 years
• 17 June 2024
• 11 July 2024
• 3919250

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held or cannot be found after taking reasonable steps
• Data format limitations (requires industry specific software)

Original Request

MAY TO SEPTEMBER: I am told during this time over a size of an Olympic size swimming pool is pushed into Peel Bay 2,900 cubic meters on the ebbing tide which is twice a day. For the last 3 years to date I would like the following stats: - Amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide (date, time and amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide) - Number of reported sewerage issues raised (date if issue, description of issue, cause and resolution) - Number of times sewage has been emptied NOT on an ebbing tide (date, time, reason and amount of sewage, tide type, i.e. ebbing or not OCTOBER TO APRIL: I am told during this time that sewage is only emptied when the storage facility is full For the last 3 years to date I would like the following stats: - Amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide (date, time and amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide) - Number of reported sewerage issues raised (date if issue, description of issue, cause and resolution) - Number of times sewage has been emptied NOT on an ebbing tide (date, time, reason and amount of sewage, tide type, i.e. ebbing or not

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: 3919250 11 July 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 17 June 2024, which states:

"MAY TO SEPTEMBER: I am told during this time over a size of an Olympic size swimming pool is pushed into Peel Bay 2,900 cubic meters on the ebbing tide which is twice a day.
For the last 3 years to date I would like the following stats:
- Amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide (date, time and amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide)
- Number of reported sewerage issues raised (date if issue, description of issue, cause and resolution)
- Number of times sewage has been emptied NOT on an ebbing tide (date, time, reason and amount of sewage, tide type, i.e. ebbing or not

OCTOBER TO APRIL: I am told during this time that sewage is only emptied when the storage facility is full
For the last 3 years to date I would like the following stats:
- Amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide (date, time and amount of sewage emptied on each ebbing tide)
- Number of reported sewerage issues raised (date if issue, description of issue, cause and resolution)
- Number of times sewage has been emptied NOT on an ebbing tide (date, time, reason and amount of sewage, tide type, i.e. ebbing or not"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Manx Utilities does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. Some data has only been recorded since 2022 and other data is in a format that can only be interpreted by industry specific software. We can advise that the Peel Promenade pumping station is programmed to pump only during an ebbing tide throughout the bathing season. This is automated within the station via a computer used for industrial automation (Programmable Logic Controller) utilising tide times data supplied by the National Oceanography Centre. This data is provided in a format that can only be interpreted using industry specific software and not in the format you requested.

To assist we can provide hourly flow data for the outflow of the pumping station which has only been recorded since 2022 however, due to the failure of the historian server there is some data missing.

Information for both defects identified within the Peel pumping station and the Peel sewer network for the last 3 years is provided.

I have enclosed copies of the information that is held.

Please quote the reference number 3919250 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.