Guernsey Water takes steps to reduce the risk of flooding
PREDICTIONS of an increase in heavy rainfall in the future are partly behind a newly-launched long-term plan to reduce the risk of flooding and pollution by tackling storm water in the island.
Guernsey Water has published its Surface Water Management Policy – a strategy to prevent the island's drains becoming overwhelmed.
'The purpose of this policy is very much planning for the future and adapting our drainage systems to climate change,' said Guernsey Water's general manager Stephen Langlois.
Existing flooding problems are already being looked at and tackled as part of the utility's business plan, launched last year, he said.
'When a lot of rain falls in a short space of time our drains quickly become overwhelmed and the only route is overland, often causing flooding,' said operations manager Jon Holt.
Among the initiatives that will form a part of the policy is the promotion of methods that allow excess rainwater to build up and be released over a period of time.
