Sewage on western beach caused by tide and wind, Manx Utilities says

Manx Utilities investigated reports of sewage on Peel Beach on Saturday

Sewage seen near the shoreline on a western beach was not due to "defective infrastructure", Manx Utilities has said.

The firm investigated after items like wet wipes and sanitary products washed up on Peel Beach on Saturday.

The town is one of only two areas on the island's coast where raw sewage is still pumped out to sea daily.

The utilities provider said it could be washed ashore during "certain tidal and wind conditions".

Plans for a sewage treatment works for the town and the surrounding area were submitted last year as part of the government's £40m regional treatment project.

'Don't flush it'

In a statement, the government-owned utilities provider said: "Raw sewage is discharged daily into Peel Bay through an outfall that runs from the Promenade Pumping Station to the end of the breakwater, and during certain tidal and wind conditions sewage debris can be washed ashore.

"On this occasion it would appear that naturally occurring sea foam has contained debris such as wet wipes and sanitary products."

Encouraging people to support the current planning application for the new treatment works, the firm said the development, earmarked for land behind Peel Power Station, would address the long standing issue for the town.

Reminding people of its Bin It Don't Flush It campaign, Manx Utilities said following the guidelines would "both protect our marine environment and to minimise the risk of sewer blockages".

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