Work to extend sewer network could restart in a few years
WORK to extend the main drain network to areas of the island that are not connected currently could resume in 2020 or 2021, the general manager of Guernsey Water has said.
Until then, said Steve Langlois, the utility is focusing on making sure the existing sewage network is in good condition and handling wastewater in general.
The island has some 150km of sewers and several years ago Guernsey Water undertook a survey of all of them.
‘In the last few years there has been a quite a substantial programme of £750,000 investment per annum in the refurbishment of the sewers that were in the worst condition,’ said Mr Langlois.
‘We’ve done really well and we can now reduce the level of investment in the programme slightly.’
There has also been a large investment in wastewater pumping stations around the island, of which there are currently 66.
‘We also need to provide a cesspit emptying service,’ said Mr Langlois, adding that there are 4,500 of those in use at the moment. ‘A lot of people don’t realise that States Works provides that service for Guernsey Water,’ he said.
As for the mains sewage connections, 85% of the island is already connected but it is intended to start reconnecting other areas in time.
‘We’ve deferred it to look at investment in sewer safety and pollution,’ he said.
Recent work in Vale Road and at La Hure Mare ‘will make a significant contribution to drainage in the north of the island,’ said Mr Langlois.
‘All of that wastewater goes to Belle Greve water treatment centre and there’s been a huge investment in that in recent years.’
Although Guernsey Water’s 10-year programme does not include the extension of the sewage network, it is something that will be looked at. ‘It’s a question of planning it, and the capital investment,’ said Mr Langlois. ‘We’ll look at it nearer the time.’
