The politician in charge of the island’s sewerage system has admitted the results of a survey into water quality in the seas around the island were disappointing.
Water and Sewerage Authority chairman Graham Cregeen MHK was responding to the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Beach Guide, which was released last week.
It was revealed than that the water quality of the island’s beaches again was the worst in the British Isles.
It recorded the highest percentage (36.8) of beaches that failed to meet the European Convention’s mandatory water quality standard.
In addition, out of the 19 island beaches tested, only two beaches (10.5 per cent) – actually an increase of one from last year – were recommended.
Mr Cregeen told iomtoday.co.im that one of the weaknesses of the sampling carried out was that it didn’t identify whether human or animal waste was to blame for the poor results.
He said: ‘The IRIS system is operating well under its licence. One of the issues that we probably do have is when they’re saying we’re failing we don’t know why.
‘It could be animal effluent running into the stream and being discharged into the sea.’
This year, Castletown joined Derbyhaven in being the two island beaches recommended for their water quality.
But the number of beaches that failed to meet the mandatory water quality standard has increased, from six in 2010 to seven.
Those that failed again were Port Lewaigue, Jurby, Port Grenaugh and Carrick (Gansey) Bay.
Beaches that worsened from mandatory to a fail were two sections of Douglas beach, central and Broadway, and Garwick.
Both Laxey and Peel beaches improved from failing in 2011 to meeting the statutory minimum standard for levels of faecal waste and bacteria that indicate presence of pollution from sewage.
Meanwhile, Port Erin and Port Soderick beaches improved from mandatory to the stricter guideline standard, which has tighter values for total coliforms (bacteria) and faecal coliforms to be achieved by 80 per cent of samples and a value for faecal streptococci to be achieved by 90 per cent of samples.
An MCS spokesman said: ‘Despite a slight increase in the number of MCS Recommended beaches for excellent water quality on the Isle of Man this year, water quality is still well below the UK average, with only two out of 19 beaches tested obtaining MCS Recommended status.’
The island has fared worst in the survey since 2009.
Of our 19 beaches tested, 12 reached the mandatory standard.
Overall, the standard of beaches in the British Isles has improved, compared with last year.
A total of 516 out of 754 beaches (68 per cent) tested last summer were recommended as having excellent water quality – an increase of 8 per cent increase on last year and the best in the Good Beach Guide’s 25-year history.
At present, Meary Veg treatment plant deals with some of the island’s sewage.
He said the Good Beach Guide results would improve when regional sewage plants were built in the west and north.
MCS coastal pollution officer Rachel Wyatt said: ‘This is a milestone for coastal resorts to be proud of and shows the impact of the guide over the last 25 years.
‘However, this summer will see the first samples taken under the revised Bathing Water Directive which will replace the current standards with far more stringent ones from 2015.
‘It’s really important that local authorities, water companies and environmental regulators don’t become complacent and take their collective feet off the pedal of continued environmental improvements.’
l The Good Beach Guide is produced by MCS, a charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife. The guide provides information about the quality of coastal bathing waters as well as information on water quality and sewage discharges at 1,000 British Isles beaches.
Top grade beaches*:
North East 82.8 (70.3)
South West 79.8 (76.2)
Wales 79.6 (59.7)
Channel Islands 79.3 (72.4)
South East 74.6 (71.4)
Northern Ireland 66.7 (41.7)
Scotland 40.9 (45.5)
North West 21.6 (12.8)
Isle of Man 10.5 (5.3)
*Percentage of beaches to get the top quality rating from the Marine Conservation Society.
The figure in brackets is the 2011 result.