Manx Utilities has responded to concerns raised by residents about its plans for a sewage treatment plant in Garff.
It plans to build the plant in Axnfell Plantation, pumping sewage up from Laxey and the area before sending treated water back down to the sea.
Respondents expressed that the proposed site at Axnfell is not suitable due to its proximity to residential areas and the potential loss of wildlife habitats.
Manx Utilities said it has considered over 50 sites for a new treatment works to serve Laxey and Baldrine.
It added: “The assessment considered a wide range of issues including proximity to residential areas, traffic impacts, land zoning and likely environmental impact amongst others.
“The site at Axnfell scored favourably compared to others and is a site currently in public ownership. The whole scheme will be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the planning application which will be publicly available.”
Cairns
Despite the original application for works at the Carins being rejected by planners, Manx Utilities said a number of respondents preferred the original plan for the sewage treatment works at the site, citing it as cheaper, less disruptive, and more practical.
The MUA said: “It was apparent at the time there was little visible public support for a works at this site.
“Manx Utilities has therefore sought a deliverable solution that minimises impacts across a wide range of issues.
“There is no ideal solution that satisfies all concerns that delivers first time sewage treatment for Garff, but we are confident that the scheme we are proposing offers an appropriate compromise.”
Other issues
Manx Utilities has also committed to working to minimise disruption during the building of the proposed site
“It is not envisaged that there will be any adverse impact from the treatment works, pumping stations or pipelines with regard to ongoing noise, odour and vibration,” it said.
Citing commercial confidentiality for its refusal to provide cost estimates, Manx Utilities said that the extra construction cost of providing a combined treatment works rather than separate works at Laxey and Baldrine is approximately 15%.
Regarding pumping up hill, Manx Utilities said: “Whilst pumping sewage is not our preferred mode of operation, it is carried out regularly across our network where we pump significant distances.
“This is not unique to the Isle of Man and is undertaken in other jurisdictions across the World. Our proposals currently include an energy recovery turbine to feed electricity back into the grid from returning flows through the existing outfall.”
Despite the issues raised, Manx Utilities said there were a number of positive comments from people who see the project as long overdue and support the proposal.
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