Big water main project planned for north of island

The £11m. project aims to "future-proofing" water supplies in the northern parishes and is part of Guernsey Water's long-term planning process.

The ring main – essentially the motorway of the water network, which other mains take their supply from – is reaching capacity due to growth and development throughout the island. Failing to increase its capacity could lead to pressure drops or, in the extreme, a loss of supply, the utility said.

The first phase of work will see Rectory Hill closed for six weeks, reopening just before Christmas.

“We plan decades ahead, to make sure we meet demand for water and that’s exactly what we’re doing here,” said Capital Delivery Manager Carl Falla. “As the island continues to grow and more development is carried out, this puts pressure on critical water infrastructure.

Growth and development
"Over the last five years we have already seen issues with growth and development impacting certain areas. Although we have been able to resolve these with network reconfigurations, we need to invest on a larger scale to future proof the water distribution system."

The project is one of the largest new water infrastructure investments the utility has commissioned recently and is said to be critical due to planned increases in population and development across the island – particularly in the northern parishes – over the next 80-100 years.

“We look after more than 500km of water pipes and they serve the community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It would be fair to say most people don’t think about the sheer scale of the infrastructure in place to ensure their access to clean and safe water. This investment safeguards our ability to provide water for the next generation of islanders, said Mr Falla.