A new regional sewage treatment works in Peel won't mean bathers in the sea will enjoy the same standard of water cleanliness as the rest of the EU.
Environment Minister Phil Gawne was speaking the the House of Keys this morning in response to a question from Onchan MHK Peter Karran.
He said it would still be unlikely that Peel's water would meet blue flag criteria, since the Island currently has to meet 1976 standards for water quality, not the more stringent 2006 directive.
He agreed the issue needed to be looked at - although he said it would come at a considerable cost:
Clip 1
Pothole claims cost department thousands
Increase in scarlet fever on the Island
Government 'neglecting' heritage assets across the Island
Motiv8: 'We will never reach all the children on the Isle of Man'
House of Keys question paper dominated by one MHK