Guernsey Water begins sewer survey

Wednesday 27 October 2021

Guernsey Water is heading down into the depths of the island’s sewers to survey the state of the network and assess the need for future repairs.

The States-owned utility is using specialist CCTV equipment to survey the condition of almost 80km of sewers.

The findings will be used to prioritise where new sewer lining is needed in order to avoid major "collapse". 

Guernsey Water’s Capital Delivery Manager, Carl Falla, said the survey – which takes place every ten years – will reduce the cost of network maintenance.

He pledged that the "minor" roadworks needed to carry out the survey will be less disruptive than major, reactive repairs once systems fail.

Pictured: Guernsey Water said that reactive replacement would result in ten times as many road closures compared to proactively surveying and identifying the priority areas for 'rehabilitation'. 

"While each phase will involve some minor road closures or obstructions, these surveys mean we are able to prevent collapses and more severe sewer degradation. 

“That would cost tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds along with extended closures to remedy. 

He continued: “We aim to run these specialised surveys every ten years in addition to ongoing surveying and sewer cleaning carried out as business as usual by Guernsey Water, covering the cleaning of approx. 35km of sewer annually to keep our Island’s sewer system running efficiently.”

The works will run in three phases, the first taking place between now and 6 December, running through to next Autumn. The first phase will begin in St Martin’s & St Peter Port and will help to survey approximately 20km of the total 60-80km planned.