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News Centre > Monday 12 September 2016

Guernsey Water reminds islanders of deadline to clear all watercourses

Stream

Guernsey Water is reminding islanders that any streams, douits, and other watercourses running through or neighbouring their property must be cleared of vegetation, silt and other watercourses by Friday 30 September.

These vital waterways feed Guernsey's many reservoirs and if blocked can not only cause serious flooding but may also have an impact on the island's water supply.

The maintenance of Guernsey's waterways happens twice a year to make sure there is no restricted flow of water into the catchments and to minimise the risk of flooding.

All streams are required by law to be cleared of vegetation and other obstructions by 30 September ahead of Parish inspections by the streams committees.

Jon Holt, operations manager of Guernsey Water said: "We have had a particularly dry summer and our waterways are fairly parched but with autumn just around the corner it is really important to be ready to collect rain water as efficiently as possible. When these waterways get overgrown it results in low flows and even blockages which can cause serious flooding if not removed. It is important that property owners help us to keep the water flowing."

Guernsey Water works in partnership with the Parish douzaines to ensure that the waterways are maintained.  

To clean a stream and ensure an unrestricted flow involves not only the cutting and removal of weed from the bed but also the removal of any other obstruction to the flow of water as well as silt, which may have accumulated in the stream bed.

These waterways absorb and store a significant amount of rainwater and runoff water, but if they are not regularly maintained this can lead to localised flooding which in the past has caused road closures while the excess water is cleared.

 

For more advice on the law (Section 6 (4) of the Loi Relative aux Douits 1936) contact a member of your local Parish Stream Committee or the Streams Inspector at Guernsey Water.

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