Bathing water quality

Sea water sampling follows the procedure set out in the 1976 European Directive on Bathing Water (76/160) is carried out at 19 beach locations throughout the island. Samples are collected for a 20 week period between May and September when bathing is most likely to occur at the Island’ beaches.

The samples are subjected to microbiological analysis for faecal indicator organisms (e.g. e.coli) the results from which allow the water to be categorised in to "poor", "good" and "excellent" qualities. The results are displayed at prominent locations near the beaches in order to inform beach users and on the Isle of Man Government Laboratory webpage. 

The Isle of Man's sewage system has been undergoing substantial modernisation in recent years, commencing with the major 'IRIS' (Integration and Recycling of the Island’s Sewage) scheme which has effectively dealt with human sewage from the southern half of the Island since 2005, and continuing with a programme of smaller treatment works in other locations which in due course should ensure that all sewage is adequately treated. Improvements in bathing water quality have been evident in the regular monitoring data as the modernisation has progressed. Further work is being undertaken by Manx Utilities to cease all discharges of raw sewage into the Isle of Man’s coastal waters. 

The location of the sampling beaches, proximity of sewage outfalls and levels of treatment given to the sewage can be seen as follows: 

For further information, please contact +44 1624 685885 or email environmentalprotection@gov.im