Dumping raw sewage off Island 'breaking European law' says rock star

Plans to stop the practice delayed by Manx Utilities until 2026

The lead singer of The Undertones says the dumping raw sewage into the sea off the Island is 'horrifying'.

Feargal Sharkey campaigns against water pollution in the British Isles since retiring from the music industry.

Manx Utilities says efforts to stop the practice have been delayed because of difficulties getting specialist equipment and contractors from the UK and delays during land acquisition.

Feargal has been telling Amy Griffiths why the story caught his eye:

In response Manx Utilities told Manx Radio: "Although the Isle of Man has no legal requirement to adhere to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Manx Utilities adopts these standards as best practise during the design of infrastructure and these have been successfully applied extensively across the Isle of Man.  

"We concur with Mr Sharkey in that the discharge of raw sewage in Peel and Garff is unacceptable and are therefore prioritising completion of Phase 2 of our Regional Sewage Treatment Strategy which will see new works constructed in these catchments."