Select a region
Guernsey Water is reminding people who have streams, douits and other watercourses running through their land to clear vegetation and silt from them ahead of parish inspections.
All streams are required by law to be cleared of vegetation and other obstructions twice each year – In June and September – in advance of parish inspections by the Streams Committees.
Guernsey Water Manager Stephen Langlois said good maintenance of waterways helps to ensure an unrestricted flow of water into the island's catchments and minimise the risk of flooding.
"Debris and other vegetation can be prolific in our hundreds of waterways, resulting in low flows or even blockages if not removed," he said. "If we suddenly experience a heavy downpour and the rainwater is unable to drain away, there could be serious flooding.
Pictured: Stephen Langlois said obstructed waterways increase the risk of flooding.
"We make this request in the summer and the beginning of autumn so that landowners work with our douzaines to maintain their watercourses and in doing so reduce the risk of flooding to ensure our valuable water is kept flowing."
The States’ Trading Supervisory Board, in its capacity as the Central Streams Committee, issues the notification to clear streams and tributaries which discharge into 13 bays, including Le Grand Havre, Vazon, Petit Bot and Belle Greve.
The Committee will carry out inspections at the start of October.
For guidance on cleaning streams and douits, click HERE.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.