The Isle of Man Water & Sewerage Authority has completed its public consultation on the recreational use of the Island’s reservoirs and has issued a statement clarifying the position, and outlining the public health and safety issues surrounding their use.
The statement is available on the Authority’s website at http://www.gov.im/water/ and printed copies are available from the Authority’s headquarters in Tromode Road, Douglas.
Authority Chairman, John Houghton MHK, explained: ‘We are charged with supplying safe drinking water and protecting our reservoirs, which are some of the Island’s most important assets.
‘The natural beauty of our reservoirs mean they are favoured by those who partake in the likes of walking, running, shore fishing and dog walking, and these are activities that the Authority considers represent an acceptable risk to water quality, safety and the reservoir structures. However, we must be mindful that any human activity on or around a reservoir is considered by the World Health Organisation to be a potential source of contamination and, as such, we must take this into account when considering requests from the public for events on or around reservoirs.’
Mr Houghton said: ‘We are currently working with stakeholders to identify ways of enhancing the visitor experience to reservoirs, bearing in mind our responsibilities and the desire of the public to enjoy the Island’s great natural beauty.
‘We would ask members of the public to consider the needs of others and enjoy the reservoirs responsibly. We’re happy to receive approaches from clubs and organisations seeking permission to hold special events on or near a reservoir.
‘The bottom line is that our reservoirs are there to provide your drinking water – so please help us do everything we can to protect them.’
