Water pressure management and fire suppression island-wide

Summary

The requester sought information on water pressure management policies, fire safety impacts, and mitigation schemes from the Manx Utilities Authority. The response provided an overview of the Authority's leakage and pressure management operations, network statistics, and recent infrastructure projects, though the full document appears truncated.

Key Facts

• The Manx Utilities Authority manages over 1700km of water mains across 74 District Metered Areas.
• There are currently 65 Pressure Management Valves (PMVs) in operation on the network.
• The data and pressure logger network has expanded from 90 to over 260 active loggers in the past five years.
• A Satellite leakage detection program was undertaken at a cost of approximately £30,000.
• A PMV installed in Port Erin in 2022 reduced pressure by 50m, saving 350,000 litres of water per day.

Data Disclosed

• 1700km
• 74 District Metered Areas
• 65 PMV's
• 90 loggers
• 260 loggers
• £30,000
• 2022
• 50m
• 350,000 litres per day

Original Request

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2015. This request concerns island-wide water pressure management by the Manx Utilities Authority, specifically the intentional reduction or regulation of water pressure through the use of throttle valves, pressure-reducing valves, or similar infrastructure, and the associated implications for fire suppression systems and public safety. To avoid doubt, this request does not seek commercially sensitive pricing information, live procurement evaluations, or security-critical technical specifications. It seeks policy-level, risk-management, and programme-level information held by the Authority. Please provide the following information: 1. Any current or historic policies, strategies, technical standards, or operational guidance relating to the management, regulation, or reduction of water pressure across the Isle of Man, including the use of throttle valves or pressure-reducing infrastructure. 2. Information identifying areas where water pressure is intentionally reduced or regulated, including the general rationale for such measures. This may be provided in summary or high-level form (for example, by zone or category) rather than at asset-specific level. 3. Any risk assessments, reports, reviews, or internal correspondence produced since 1 January 2018 that consider the impact of reduced or regulated water pressure on: - fire suppression systems, including sprinkler systems; - fire hydrant performance; or - building fire safety and resilience. 4. Details of any mitigation measures, schemes, or programmes offered or supported by the Manx Utilities Authority to address risks arising from insufficient water pressure, including (but not limited to) assistance for water storage tanks, booster pumps, or related infrastructure. 5. Where such schemes exist, the following summary information: - the existence and duration of the scheme(s); - eligibility criteria; - the number of applications received, approved, and rejected; and - the total value of any funding or grants awarded. 6. Any correspondence or formal communications since 1 January 2018 between the Manx Utilities Authority and: - the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service; or - Isle of Man Government departments - relating to water pressure adequacy for fire suppression or building fire safety. For the avoidance of doubt, I consider there to be a strong public interest in disclosure of the information requested, given its relevance to public safety, fire suppression capability, insurance risk, and the resilience of critical infrastructure. Should the Authority consider that any information requested is qualified exempt information, I request that the public interest balancing exercise required under Part 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 be fully undertaken and explained with sufficient detail to identify the specific prejudice or harm relied upon, the likelihood and severity of that prejudice, and how, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure, in accordance with section 18(2) of the Act and section 3 of the Freedom of Information Act Code of Practice. If any part of this request is considered exempt, please provide the non-exempt information and specify the statutory basis relied upon for each exemption claimed. Thank you for your time.

Data Tables (12)

Full Response Text

1

Leakage and Pressure Management – Ongoing  Capital Maintenance      1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Manx Utilities Leakage and Pressure Management team are responsible for maintaining and reducing the leakage and water usage across the island’s water network. The island has experienced its fair share of water resources problems with three droughts being declared in the last six years. The network consists of over 1700km of water mains across 74 District Metered Areas, with an additional 65 PMV’s in operation. The team currently consists of three Leakage staff and one Pressure Management with the recruitment ongoing to fill vacancies to increase the Pressure Management team.

The typical working practices of the Leakage and Pressure Management team has changed drastically over the past 5 years, with the data and pressure logger network increasing from 90 loggers to over 260 currently active across the network. Leakage detection technology continues to become more advanced and technical in its ability to detect harder to find leaks, such as the Satellite leakage detection program that was undertaken this year at a cost of around £30,000. The program has been a great success so far with and will looked to be used again in the future.

Leakage and pressure management are both essential in the successful delivery of the water resources plan, with both offering large successful savings in water across the network. Each litre of water saved by leakage locating leaks on the network is an indirect saving for the company through the resources required to produce drinking water. Pressure Management saves water directly through reduction in pressure allowing for smaller volumes of water to be used, one example is the Port Erin PMV installed in 2022 which reduced pressure by 50m and resulted in a saving of 350,000 litres per day.

Additionally we have recently taken on the cost of purchasing the PMV’s, meters and strainers that are to be installed for Pressure Management schemes across the network in line with the scheme created by Hydroco for 30 new PMV projects. Recently a contract has been awarded to Technolog for the supply of 40 PMV controllers in order to make our PMV’s smart, this is at a cost of around £40,000 initially with a further £36,000 over the next 4 years.

With targets to reduce Leakage across the network and also install more PMV’s and smart PMV’s, continued investment will be required annually to maintain this and increased investment will be required to improve these targets.

2

1. SCOPE OF WORKS

The scope of the works will be a combination of planned and reactive small projects.

The following schemes are examples of the work that is to be carried out and this list of works is planned to be executed in the financial year 2024/2025 and beyond:

Proposed Scheme Title: Satellite leakage detection project. Finalising Logger SMS to GPRS/3G switchover. Initial phase for Smart PMV controller installation. On-going optimisation of currently installed PMV’s across the network. Commissioning of Vicarage Road PMV. Critical Point Logger Installation. Installation and Commissioning of Ballacriy Park PMV’s. PMAC logger replacements. Ballacallin PMV Project. Re-deployment of Pressure Loggers (Post PMV Controller installation). Port Erin Bulk PMV Project. Port St Mary PMV Project.

If any item or project exceeds £100K and/or the total budget exceeds the £250K in any given financial year then a new business case will be produced for that item of work.

1. OBJECTIVES AND JUSTIFCATION The objective of this business case for the Leakage and Pressure Management budget is to ensure that leakage levels across the network are maintained and reduced, aswell as managing the networks pressure to extend the life of the existing pipework across the network while reducing water usage.

2. OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED

‘Do Nothing’

This is not an option. We do have a legal requirement to not knowingly waste water, if we choose to do nothing then leakage will rise substantially across the network along with customer calls and burst rates will increase. Pressure will continue to put a strain on our aging pipe network, causing more bursts and more customer complaints. This will be a larger financial drain on the business overall in the long term if we choose to do ‘nothing’.

3

‘Request individual funding for each project’

The schemes must be completed in the interest of reducing leakage and extending the life of our pipes across the network, protecting the islands water supply. They will be prioritsed in total savings accumulated by the project and urgency.

1. COSTS

The annual budget currently sits at 250k which may need to be readdressed in the future if inflation rises cause equipment costs to increase dramatically impacting the budget.

1. PROJECTED COSTS/SPEND PROFILE 2024/2025 2025/2026 2026/2027 £250k £250k £250k *Subsequent future years funding to be adjusted accordingly

2. PROJECTED SAVINGS Each project will be individually assessed for cost saving. It is believed that undertaking the works earlier will provide savings when compared to if the works were to be postponed. All projects will have a long term saving as they reduce water losses across the network, which will be projected and recorded.

3. PROCUREMENT

Each project will either be designed in house or using external resource followed by procurement through the Quick Quote/Exemption and subsequently require an appropriate NEC4 contract. Some of the works can be delivered in house.

Each project will be designed in house or using an external source, followed by a procurement exercise through Quick Quote or Exemption. The majority of the works will be delivered in house.

1. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Business – There is unlikely to be any major impact on local business; if any impact is estimated then appropriate arrangements and consultations will take place.

Social – All proposed works will be designed and completed to reduce the impact on general public where possible. Works will be advertised accordingly to inform any members of public who may be impacted;

Environmental – All proposed works will be completed taking into account the potential impact to the Environment. Appropriate assessments will be undertaken in advance of any works commencing.

Government – No impact on Government

GDPR - It is not envisaged that the schemes will involve personal data processing and is not a significant concern. However, this will be assessed during the development of each specific project to ensure strict

4

compliance with GDPR.

Equality - It is not believed that there is an equality issue associated with this project.

Climate Change Duties - Appropriate Climate Impact Assessments will be undertaken for each project where these are deemed appropriate and necessary.

1. PROGRAMME

Some schemes will be completed this financial year with the preparation for others above may start this financial year but the actual works will be delivered in the year 2025/2026 and the subsequent years.

1. RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the approval is given for the inclusion of £250,000 for the ongoing capital maintenance in the 2025/26 budget and then in the budget for the consecutive years under the heading: Leakage and Pressure Management

Jack Kelly, Pressure Management Projects Engineer,
September 2024

2

1 (MUA) From: Sent: 04 November 2025 14:08 To: (MUA); Subject: FW: Manx Utilities - Water Pressure Management - Sprinkler Systems

From:

Sent: 04 November 2025 14:04 To:

Subject: Re: Manx Utilities - Water Pressure Management - Sprinkler Systems

Hi

None of the properties under control have sprinkler systems.

There may be some of the sheltered accommodation within the village with this though so you could contact who look after these properties to confirm.

Kind regards,

From:

Date: Friday, 24 October 2025 at 10:44 To:

Subject: Manx Utilities - Water Pressure Management - Sprinkler Systems Good Morning,

I hope this message finds you well. Manx Utilities is improving how water pressure is managed across the Island to make the network more reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable. Early results are promising, showing a significant reduction in water main bursts and the potential to save millions of litres of treated water each day through improved pressure control. As part of this initiative, we are reaching out to identify properties with sprinkler systems—particularly those installed before January 2025. Some systems can influence how water is drawn from the network, and understanding their locations will help us:.
 Minimise disruption during pressure adjustments  Maintain reliable water supplies for domestic use and fire suppression systems  Ensure safety standards are met in collaboration with Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service and Construction Isle of Man We would appreciate your assistance in identifying any Government and Local Authority buildings, facilities or sites under your jurisdiction that may have sprinkler systems installed. This information will support our efforts to maintain service reliability and contribute to broader environmental and efficiency goals. 2 A short information leaflet has been created (attached) which will be shared Island-wide in the coming weeks. For any queries or feedback, please contact or

Many thanks

SUSTAINABLY DELIVERING LIFE’S ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR OUR ISLAND

Respect | Integrity | Teamwork | Excellence

w: www.manxutilities.im

687687

WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e- mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible.

No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of any of the Departments or Statutory Boards of the Isle of Man Government with any party by e-mail without express written confirmation by a Manager of the relevant Department or Statutory Board.

RAAUE: S’preevaadjagh yn çhaghteraght post-l shoh chammah’s coadanyn erbee currit marish as ta shoh coadit ec y leigh. Cha nhegin diu coipal ny cur eh da peiagh erbee elley ny ymmydey yn chooid t’ayn er aght erbee dyn kied leayr veih’n choyrtagh. Mannagh nee shiu yn enmyssagh kiarit jeh’n phost-l shoh, doll-shiu magh eh, my sailliu, as cur-shiu fys da’n choyrtagh cha leah as oddys shiu.

Cha nel kied currit da failleydagh ny jantagh erbee conaant y yannoo rish peiagh ny possan erbee lesh post-l er son Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh erbee jeh Reiltys Ellan Vannin dyn co-niartaghey scruit leayr veih Reireyder y Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh t’eh bentyn rish. 3 (MUA) From: Sent: 24 October 2025 10:44 To: Subject: Manx Utilities - Water Pressure Management - Sprinkler Systems Attachments: Good Morning,

I hope this message finds you well. Manx Utilities is improving how water pressure is managed across the Island to make the network more reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable. Early results are promising, showing a significant reduction in water main bursts and the potential to save millions of litres of treated water each day through improved pressure control. As part of this initiative, we are reaching out to identify properties with sprinkler systems—particularly those installed before January 2025.
Some systems can influence how water is drawn from the network, and understanding their locations will help us:.
 Minimise disruption during pressure adjustments  Maintain reliable water supplies for domestic use and fire suppression systems  Ensure safety standards are met in collaboration with Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service and Construction Isle of Man We would appreciate your assistance in identifying any Government and Local Authority buildings, facilities or sites under your jurisdiction that may have sprinkler systems installed. This information will support our efforts to maintain service reliability and contribute to broader environmental and efficiency goals. A short information leaflet has been created (attached) which will be shared Island-wide in the coming weeks. For any queries or feedback, please contact or

from our Water Pressure Management Team.

Many thanks

SUSTAINABLY DELIVERING LIFE’S ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR OUR ISLAND

Respect | Integrity | Teamwork | Excellence

687687

4 w: www.manxutilities.im

5 (MUA) From: Sent: 24 October 2025 11:00 To: Subject: FW: Manx Utilities - Water Pressure Management - Sprinkler Systems FYI

From:

Sent: 24 October 2025 10:55 To:

Cc:

Subject: Re: Manx Utilities - Water Pressure Management - Sprinkler Systems

Good morning

The only property I am aware of in ownership which has sprinkler system is

Regards

From:

Sent: 24 October 2025 10:44 AM To:

Subject: Manx Utilities - Water Pressure Management - Sprinkler Systems

Good Morning,

I hope this message finds you well. Manx Utilities is improving how water pressure is managed across the Island to make the network more reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable. Early results are promising, showing a significant reduction in water main bursts and the potential to save millions of litres of treated water each day through improved pressure control. As part of this initiative, we are reaching out to identify properties with sprinkler systems—particularly those installed before January 2025.
Some systems can influence how water is drawn from the network, and understanding their locations will help us:.
 Minimise disruption during pressure adjustments  Maintain reliable water supplies for domestic use and fire suppression systems  Ensure safety standards are met in collaboration with Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service and Construction Isle of Man We would appreciate your assistance in identifying any Government and Local Authority buildings, facilities or sites under your jurisdiction that may have sprinkler systems installed. This information will support our efforts to maintain service reliability and contribute to broader environmental and efficiency goals. 6 A short information leaflet has been created (attached) which will be shared Island-wide in the coming weeks. For any queries or feedback, please contact or

from our Water Pressure Management Team.

[Response truncated — full text is 68,108 characters]