Sewage question 'will be addressed'

THE Public Services Department will act on sewage treatment. Minister Bill Bell told protesters who greeted him outside Sir Charles Frossard House yesterday that full sewage treatment would be addressed in a report due before the States early next year.

Pressure group Surfers Against Sewage, which organised the protest as part of its campaign to bring sewage treatment to the island, was granted a 10-minute meeting with Deputy Bell to present its case.

He thanked them for coming to Guernsey and local protesters, saying it proved there was public concern.

'We're aware of the concern and it's something we've got to do something about,' said Deputy Bell to the protesters.

He added that the department hoped work in Glategny Esplanade, which has resulted in the discharge of raw sewage just outside St Peter Port Harbour, would be finished ahead of time.

'I've listened to your views and we're already preparing a report to take to the States to consider what action we need to take,' he said.

'It's been in preparation since May and will come to the States early next year. The community will then be fully aware of what's suggested and can express their point of view at that time.'

Even if a treatment plant was in place, he added, the department would still need to use the outfall at the White Rock if similar work needed to be done.

'The engineers looked at all the options and considered this to be the best way to deal with this emergency,' he said.

SAS has started a petition, with the support of local campaigners, and will return next month to present the result to the States.

'We've had a good show of support to make them know there are a lot of people in Guernsey who want the situation improved,' said SAS campaign director Richard Hardy.

He added that the group would shame the government if sewage treatment was not addressed.

Former deputy candidate Rob Gregson, 36, turned up in a wetsuit and swimming mask, carrying his surfboard, in support of the protest.

'I just want to see Guernsey stop pumping sewage into the sea and take responsibility for the effluent we've created,' he said.

Mr Gregson added it would be good for tourism if water quality improved and that the protest made the States aware of people's feelings.

Treasury and Resources minister Lyndon Trott said that an environmental-impact assessment would be required if a sewage-treatment farm was deemed necessary.

'If the Public Services Department determines, as part of its priorities, that sewage treatment needs to be high up its list and the States endorses that view, then Treasury and Resources will take due regard of that instruction as part of its financial planning,' said Deputy Trott.

He added that the proposed energy-from-waste plant at Longue Hougue had provision to deal with sewage sludge by incineration.

In September, Deputy David de Lisle wrote a letter to Treasury and Resources stating that a sewage-treatment plant was of the highest priority.

'The ramifications of this incident seem to be quite far-reaching,' he said. 'BBC News has carried it and carried it worldwide and I'd like to know how the department will address the adverse publicity we've got from this.'