WATER AUTHORITY REISSUES STATUTORY POWERS NOTICES FOR CRUCIAL DOUGLAS RAW WATER PIPELINE PROJECT

The Isle of Man Water Authority has this week reissued Statutory Powers Notices to five landowners across whose land the new Douglas raw water pipeline will pass. Notices were initially issued in July this year and, on the advice of its advocates, these Notices have now been reissued to clarify details of the pipeline.

Patrick Heaton-Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Authority said: “The size and type of pipe has not changed – it is still a 600mm diameter ductile iron pipe, but a detail supplied by the pipe manufacturer has been attached to the new Notices to show the precise inside and outside dimensions of the pipe.”

“Making the decision to use our Statutory Powers was not taken lightly but we cannot afford any delay on this important scheme which is integral to the successful implementation of the new water treatment works on Homefield Road. The Water Authority has a statutory duty to supply water to consumers at large and is thus obliged to ensure that pipeline construction is not delayed by individual landowners. Notwithstanding the issue of Notices the Authority remains committed to obtaining easements from all landowners and to this end would appreciate further discussion with landowners. We believe we have behaved in a reasonable and fair manner and, above all, according to statute.”

Of the 19 landowners along the route of the new pipeline 14 have already granted easements which will allow the Authority access to their land to lay and maintain the new pipeline. The Authority unfortunately has not, to date, been able to reach satisfactory agreement with the other five landowners and, as resolved by the Board in compliance with Statutory obligations, the Authority has had to issue Statutory Powers Notices to ensure that the pipeline can proceed without delay and thus be ready in time to supply water without which commissioning and testing the new Douglas water treatment works cannot proceed.

All landowners who have granted easements have already received payments based upon 50% (being the standard adopted for water pipeline easements) of a land value of approximately £ 16,900 per acre for a 6 metre wide easement. The Authority will, in addition to easement payments, compensate landowners for any material damage caused as a result of these essential works. However the Authority and its chosen contractor will endeavour to complete the works as carefully as possible in order to avoid these possible problems.

Patrick Heaton-Armstrong, Chief Executive, continues “When work gets underway early next year it will inevitably cause some disruption to residents and businesses, however, we will endeavour to keep this to a minimum and keep those affected well informed on progress and completion dates. All landowners will be contacted well in advance of any work starting on site and it is anticipated that the whole scheme will be completed by the end of next year. Each new phase brings us closer to our aim of providing crystal clear drinking water for the Island’s population.”

For further information: Patrick Heaton-Armstrong, Chief Executive, Isle of Man Water Authority Tel: 695949