THE most likely future for the former water treatment works at Greenfield Road in Douglas is for the property and grounds to be used as engineering workshops for the Isle of Man College.

That was the response from chairman of the Water and Sewage Authority, Tim Crookall MHK, in a written answer to a Tynwald question by Douglas North MHK John Houghton.

Mr Crookall said, “The Authority is working conscientiously with Government’s Asset Management Team to determine the best long-term use for the site, bearing in mind the critical nature of the assets hidden beneath the surface.

“Currently the preferred solution is for the property and grounds to be conveyed to the Department of Education and Children for use as Engineering workshops for the Isle of Man College.

The former water treatment works at Greenfield Road is now redundant. However, Mr Crookall pointed out that within the site boundary there is a significant number of large diameter, high pressure raw water mains feeding the new Douglas Water Treatment Works together with large diameter pumped mains feeding the whole of the South of the Island.

He added, “The Authority is working closely with the Department of Education and Children in developing the business case for this proposal, which will of course need Board, Department and by Treasury approval.”

Work on the project is expected to start on site in 2012 with completion in 2013.

Mr Crookall added, “The Authority fully understands its responsibility for maintenance of the existing building which has, over time, suffered through acts of vandalism. The Authority continues to undertake all necessary repair work to maintain the integrity of the fabric of the building.”