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Pollution investigations

To report a pollution incident please call +44 1624 685885 / 685892 or email environmentalprotection@gov.im

Pollution to controlled waters is investigated by the Environmental Protection Unit within the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture through provisions outlined in the Water Pollution Act 1993.

Under the Water Pollution Act 1993 Controlled Waters are defined as:

  • (a) the waters which extend seaward for 3 miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea adjacent to the Island is measured ('relevant territorial waters')
  • (b) any waters which are within the area which extends landward from those baselines as far as the limit of the highest tide or, in the case of the waters of any relevant river or watercourse, as far as the fresh-water limit of the river or watercourse, together with the waters of any enclosed dock which adjoins waters within that area ('coastal waters')
  • (c) the waters of any relevant lake or pond or of so much of any relevant river or watercourse as is above the freshwater limit ('inland waters')

To report a pollution incident please call +44 1624 685885 or email environmentalprotection@gov.im

For out of hours oil pollution response please contact +44 1624 697327

The most significant sources of water pollution are:

Sewage (Waste Water)

Manx Utilities manage, maintain and develop the Isle of Man’s sewerage infrastructure and the sewage treatment and disposal systems. In some rural areas where a mains connection is not accessible then small private sewage treatment works and, in some cases, septic tanks are used to treat the foul water from domestic residences.

Surface Water Contamination

Surface water is classified as water which is not contaminated and therefore is collected by open drains or road gullies and directed to nearby watercourses. These drains normally collect water from roofs, roads and pathways.

Foul and grey water needs to be directed to the foul sewer which in most cases will be the Manx Utilities mains sewerage infrastructure. This includes waste from toilets, all sinks, washing machines and dishwashers. Occasionally where extensions or modifications to the original property have been undertaken, drains can be connected to the incorrect network.

Please make sure that no chemicals such as domestic bleach or cleaning products are poured directly into a surface water drain or road gully after use. All contaminated water needs to be poured into a sink which is connected to the mains sewerage infrastructure.

Agricultural Pollution

Pollutants can enter the marine environment by run off from agricultural land or by entering drainage ditches which lead to a nearby watercourse. The main pollutants from farming are:

  • Nutrients (phosphates and nitrates)
  • Chemicals including pesticides and veterinary medicines
  • Faecal bacteria and pathogens
  • Soil sediment
  • Micro plastics

The pressures and impacts on water quality from the above pollutants includes;=:

  • Eutrophication
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Silting of fish spawning grounds
  • Risks to human health via bathing and water contact sports
  • Damage to fisheries, tourism and recreation
  • Damage to shell fisheri

Oil Pollution

A substantial amount of oil released into oceans and seas will destroy wildlife and the ecosystems that sustain them. Oil spills also reduce oxygen supplies within the water environment. The main causes of oil related water pollution are:

  • Loss from storage facilities
  • Spillage during delivery
  • Deliberate disposal of waste oil to drainage systems

Pollution from Abandoned Mines

Across the Isle of Man there are various abandoned mine sites which continue to pollute our watercourses. Pollution from coal mines is easy to see, because of the iron rich water they discharge can cause rivers to turn orange. Not all pollution from abandoned mines are obvious, it may not be visible, and we can only tell if metals are present in rivers by measuring the water quality.

Pollution from abandoned mines comes from:

  • ‘Point sources’ where drainage tunnels or mine entries discharge metal rich mine waters all year round
  • ‘Diffuse sources’ such as mine wastes, metal-contaminated sediments and groundwater contribute to increasing amounts of metals as river flows increase due to adverse weather
  • Impacts on groundwater and aquifers
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