A solution is still being sought to the problem of how to dispose of silt from Peel marina.

Harbour officials want to hear from companies that could remove a sufficient level of contaminants to allow the dredged material to be recycled or disposed of at sea.

A Prior Information Notice has been published this week by the Department of Infrastructure to identify contractors with the technical expertise and experience to process the silt into a more environmentally acceptable form.

As well as testing the market for a scientific solution, the department is working on a wide range of other potential options.

These include encasing the silt to form new sea defences to tackle coastal erosion and the possibility of developing a land-based problematic waste site.

It’s part of a commitment by the DoI to manage the material that builds up in the impounded area of Peel harbour.

About 3,000 tonnes of silt enters the marina from the River Neb each year, containing traces of heavy metals and other contaminants, largely as a result of historical mining operations.

Independent analysis of samples taken from the marina has so far ruled out disposal at sea. If dredging does not take place, the accumulation of silt will threaten the closure of a number of berths.

Some 10,000 tonnes of material were excavated and transported to a temporary storage site at Poortown in 2015 to help restore the marina to its published depth.

The DoI has since been working on long-term solutions in partnership with the colleagues in DEFA.

The intention is to balance the need to maintain the marina with the cost to the public purse and government’s responsibilities to the marine ecosystem and the island’s commercial fishery.

A Peel marina project board has been set up to examine the issue, chaired by Tim Baker MHK.