A Tynwald committee’s regional sewage strategy recommendations have been rejected by politicians, with questions raised over conflicts of interest.

Tynwald has voted in favour of Manx Utilities’plans to press ahead with phase two of the regional sewage treatment strategy (RSTS2) in favour of recommendations put forward by Tynwald’s environment and infrastructure review committee.

The committee, chaired by Onchan MHK Rob Callister, had put forward a number of recommendations and challenged the calculations relied upon in the MUA report.

These recommendations included:

â?¢ Treasury commissioning a review of costs of RSTS2 for Peel, St John’s and the Central Valley.

â?¢ No regional works be undertaken in Peel without an extended sea outfall pipe.

â?¢ The Raggatt leachate issue be to be resolved through disposal using the sewage treatment in Peel.

â?¢ To bring the island’s bathing water quality forward by ditching the 1976 directive and adopting the EU 2006 directive and a wider economic impact study on any major infrastructure works.

The 1976/2006 directive debate is important as the higher 2006 standards give poorer reading for bathing waters, in particular, Peel.

Mr Callister spoke of the need for Raggatt leachate, an issue of contention for Peel residents, to be resolved as part of any sewage plans.

Following Mr Callister, Dr Alex Allinson MHK (Ramsey), pictured, right, criticised the how conclusions were reached.

Dr Allinson said: ’It is regrettable that the whole report seems to have been instigated by one local landowner with obvious interests.

’In casting doubt over the calculations provided by MUA, the committee appear to rely on evidence provided by Mr David Jones.

’Mr Jones does not claim any experience of sewage treatments.

’His evidence misrepresents the requirements of EU legislation, makes false assumptions about Manx Utilities’ catchment population calculations and misrepresents the impacts of future populations expansion in the regional treatment process.’

Dr Allinson was supported in his concerns over Mr Jones’ influence by Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK.

’Every time the review is done, whoever does the review, because Mr Jones does not like it he wants another review,’ he said.

’That is not acceptable.’

Following further debate, Tynwald decided to support MUA in proceeding with RSTS2.

Following the sitting, Dr Allinson welcomed the decision, saying: ’I was pleased that Tynwald agreed with the findings of the independent review and voted that Manx Utilities with its team of expert engineers proceed without delay with RSTS2 to bring clean beaches to Peel, Laxey and Baldrine.

’During the Tynwald debate there were concerns raised about the integrity of the sewerage system in Lower Douglas and the risk of pollution into the River Glass.

’I would therefore like to reassure members of the public that Douglas does have sufficient capacity to deal with both the surface water and foul sewage within the catchment without the requirement for a pumping station at the Quarter Bridge.’