Clear streams to help maintain island's water reserves

A dry Spring has left the Island's water reserves lower than average for the time of year, and with the legal deadline approaching for landowners to keep streams, douits and other watercourses on their land clear of weed, silt and other obstructions, Guernsey Water is taking the opportunity to remind islanders of the importance of the twice annual obligation.

Jon Holt, operations manager at Guernsey Water said: "Keeping streams clear allows for the free flow of water, meaning we can better capture water to top up the islands water reserves when rain does fall. With the extremely dry Spring we are experiencing, and Summer just around the corner, it is more important than ever that we collect as much water as we can.

"Over the last 15 years we have been undertaking a programme of investment in mechanical screens at our raw water collection stations, these screens rotate automatically to clear obstructions like leaves, allowing water to pass through instead of going to waste. These screens have allowed us to maximise our ability to collect water to keep the island's reserves healthy, but we can collect even more if the streams feeding our collection stations are kept clear."

Guernsey Water's latest mechanical screen was fitted at the Charroterie station in 2024 and has increased the volume of water captured by up to four times during heavy rainfall.

The law on streams clearance applies to all streams and tributaries which discharge into the following:
1.Grand Havre Bay through the Vale Pond and at Rousse
2. Bellegreve Bay through the Tonnelle d'Orgueil
3. The public sewer at La Charroterie, St Peter Port
4. La Biloterie and La Maladerie
5. Perelle Bay (Bas Marais)
6. Vazon Bay through the Jean Thomas Outfall
7. Long Port (Cobo) and onto the beach at Cobo, west of the junction of Cobo Road with the coast road.
8. Rocquaine Bay
9. La Grande Mare
10. La Lague, St Peter's
11. Rue Mahaut, St Saviour's
12. La Croix Martin
13. Petit Bot Bay

The utility works in partnership with parish douzaines, who twice a year carry out inspections in their respective parishes after the deadline to ensure the law has been followed.
Mr Holt added: "With approximately 165km of watercourses and douits around the Island, the work of the douzaines is very important, and something that we appreciate greatly.
Although their inspections often go unseen, they continue to benefit the Island community as a whole."

The first clearance is required to take place by the 15th June and the second by the 30th September. 

For advice on the law and responsibilities, landowners are advised to contact their Parish or Guernsey Water, further information can be found