Creation of water ‘motorway’ to divert flow of traffic for years
THE future of Guernsey’s fresh water supply is at the heart of roadworks that will be frustrating Guernsey’s motorists for several years to come.
Guernsey Water is nearing completion of the first stage of a major infrastructure project, which is due to run for the next five to seven years and cost up to £11m.
Work has so far seen Rectory Hill, in Castel, closed to traffic for almost five weeks.
Capital delivery manager Carl Falla said the works would hopefully safeguard the island’s water supply for the next 100 years.
‘We are looking to future supply and demand and how to reinforce that supply,’ he said.
‘It is a question of how much water we have and where we need to supply it. It is the motorway of our distribution system. This is once-in-a-generation investment and infrastructure change where we are looking at 2100 and beyond.’
The new trunk ring main, made up of iron pipe almost half a metre wide, will carry hundreds of litres of water from the north to the south of the island.
‘The pipeline is being put in place to support developments in the north of the island so the island can grow,’ he said.
‘These are being laid in sections across the island that will combine into one long pipeway. These are assets that have 100 years of life and that is how far we are looking ahead. If we don’t start now we will see lower water pressure and we won’t be able to service the planned housing developments.’
Work on Rectory Hill is due to finish next Friday and the team will then move further up the road in spring, laying further pipes towards Thompson Motors.
‘Unfortunately this will mean further disruption for road users, but these are vital works,’ said Mr Falla.
‘So I hope everyone can understand why they need to be done.’
Guernsey Water is funding the works partly through current bills, but also through government loans. That means that future generations who will benefit will also contribute.
Mr Falla said Guernsey Water was working alongside States departments to work out the island’s future demand for fresh water, and not just how much will be needed, but where.
‘The population is growing and so is the number of houses. Government have set a net migration figure of 300 a year, and we have worked with the strategic housing plan to see where that growth will be.’
‘There is lots of certainty over the next 20 years but in the longer term we have created a number of forecasts of what future supply might look like, and are working to a best case or worse case scenario.’
As well as housing and population, Guernsey Water is also considering the impacts of climate change.
‘We are looking at the latest projections which are continuously being adapted and updated,’ he said.
‘Generally we are seeing drier summers, but wetter winters predicted. This will give a slightly net benefit for our resources in terms of fresh water. Again we are working to best case and worst case scenarios for planning.
‘However, this will have negative effects elsewhere as rainfall episodes are predicted to become more intense, which will put stress on the sewer system.’
