Isle of Man water quality 'is improving'

The water quality on the Isle of Man is continually improving as the result of a sewage treatment project, it has been said.

According to the Isle of Man Water and Sewage Authority, the Integration and Recycling of the Island's Sewage (IRIS) treatment scheme has helped water on beaches to improve over the summer.

The project was launched in July 2009 to clean up sewage around Manx beaches and environmental officials have confirmed that results from 19 beaches revealed a lower level of sewage than before.

Chair of the Isle of Man Water and Sewage Authority Tim Crookall said the beaches received an excellent or good rating for most of the samples.

He stated: "Those areas which are connected to the existing IRIS network are showing the level of bathing water quality which we have been striving for and which we will deliver throughout the island as the Regional Sewage Treatment strategy progresses."

The IRIS strategy to transfer the island's sewage away from its beaches to wastewater plants is expected to be completed over the next five years.

Posted by Lauren Steadman