The new sewage treatment works at Balladoole needed repairs after being damaged in Storm Ophelia, it has been revealed.

Manx Utilities Authority chairman Dr Alex Allinson said: ’There was some damage caused to the Balladoole site during Storm Ophelia.

’This is being remedied by the contractor and is not impacting on the sewage treatment process. Once these repairs have been completed, arrangements will be put in place for an official opening and tours of the facility.’

The treatment works began receiving flows from Ramsey and Andreas in July, Dr Allinson told the House of Keys last week.

’As the biological process within the plant has matured, the quality of effluent discharged into Ramsey Bay has improved, providing - as expected - significant environmental benefits in the bay and also at Smeale Beach where there are no longer discharges of raw sewage at all,’ he said.

’The biological process is now stable. The works is fully functional and discharges are being monitored on a weekly basis for compliance with the required standards as set by Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture.’

He admitted there had been ’occasional noticeable odours’ which had led to the ’implementation of chemical dosing at the Andreas pumping station to prevent the build-up of hydrogen sulphide within the Andreas to Balladoole rising main’ in order to improve matters.

’Operational processes at Balladoole are also being optimised and further refined to address the reported intermittent odour issues,’ Dr Allinson added.

He was replying to a question from Tim Baker (Ayre and Michael).