A campaign has been launched to stop waste being pumped into the sea.

Peel cafe Roots by the Sea is urging the government to re-think its stance on depositing raw sewage in Manx waters.

It has started an online petition calling for a different way to dispose of toxic chemicals, sewage and PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls).

It currently has over 1,400 signatures.

The issue has been debated in Tynwald for more than a decade.

Former Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw agrees the current situation is dangerous and unacceptable.

He wants candidates in next month’s general election to make their stance clear on how they propose to tackle the issue.

Mr Robertshaw said: ’The proposal is to build a sewage works further towards the back of Peel somewhere when that planning issue is finally resolved.

’But there’s no intention to extend the outflow pipe, which means that ultimately the outflow from the sewage works combined with the PCB input from the Raggatt tip will continue to emerge where the seagulls are now.’

He continued: ’And if you know much about the tidal flows, they flow effectively across the outflow pipe and in a clockwise direction circling back.

’That is totally unacceptable and I do hope the people of Peel quiz their candidates very closely on the inadequacies of what is proposed.’

Mr Robertshaw pointed to faults in the proposal like there being no plans to extend the length of the outflow pipe, despite this having been originally recommended.

In addition, he noted that the proposal to only use UV light treatments only when people were swimming was flawed, as people swim in Peel all year round.

He called on no PCBs to be dumped into the new sewage works, and if possible, for the sewage to be pumped back to the Meary Veg [sewage treatment facility].

The petitioners also highlighted the government’s approval of a scheme to monitor ’Designated bathing waters’ around the island, where water samples will be taken weekly.

There are four sites: Port Erin, Port St Mary, Ramsey South and Douglas.

Those behind the petition said: ’All other sites [are] to be assessed monthly.

’This feels like a step backwards.

’Lets be frank, you’d expect all waters around a Biosphere nation to be suitable for swimming in.

’Furthermore, these "designated bathing waters" will only be monitored during the "bathing" season, despite being used all year round by surfers, kite surfers, kayakers, paddle boarders and sea dippers’.

There are notices in Laxey warning that bathing water there is below European standards.

Last year Manx Utilities lost a planning battle for a new sewage works in the village, near the harbour.

The petition can be found at: www.change.org/p/isle-of-man-government-isle-of-man-stop-dumping-waste-into-isle-of-man-waters