Residents in Peel have complained over smells emitting from sewage works, the ownership of which is showing to be confusing for some.
The chairman of Manx Utilities John Wannenburgh has responded to several questions from Kate Lord-Brennan about the smells and who actually owns the works.
In correspondence sent to Manx.News, one resident stated said that “the smell is at times unbearable”.
They added: “Even on returning from work yesterday evening, as I drove across the first roundabout on Reayrt-Ny-Keylley, the smells came through the car immediately so this says to me it can’t specifically be my property but how this is deemed acceptable is beyond me.”
Unpleasant
Another reported the odour as “extremely unpleasant and potentially harmful to our health, as it is present inside the house”.
A message from a resident on Imman Stronnag, Reayrt Ny Cronk, read: “this has been an ongoing problem for years but nothing has been done to sort the problem, Manx Utilities say its not their problem, and heritage homes are not looking after the treatment plant above us.”
Private Infrastructure
In his written answers, Mr Wannenburgh, said that in Peel “there are a number of properties connected to private infrastructure which remain the responsibility of the developer until adopted by Manx Utilities at a future date”.
He stated: “In the event of residents raising complaints regarding private infrastructure, in most instances the complainant would be directed to the developer as the party responsible for the infrastructure.”
This is despite residents in these areas being charged rates which should ensure the waste is properly treated.
Temporary
Detailing the assets, Mr Wannenburgh explained a pumping station in the Reayrt Ny Kelley Estate is “owned and maintained by Manx Utilities”, while the Sileau Whallian View/Reayrt Ny Cronk Estate contains “a wastewater pumping station and a temporary treatment works, currently owned and maintained by Dandara”.
One resident questioned the arrangement, asking, “could we please seek clarification regarding the supposed adoption of the sewerage system by MUA from Dandara… how they can justify these rates not being returned until under full control of MUA to resolve issues that have not been addressed in at least 5 years”.
Manx Utilities logged 26 complaints related to odours from the estates since 2010, with most calls “redirected to the private infrastructure owner”.
Both the MUA and Dandara are understood to be examining what can be done to resolve the issue.
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