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Guernsey Water has issued a warning that the island's resources remain low, despite recent rainfall, because the rest of this year has been dryer than usual.
The utility has issued tips to help us all reduce the amount of water we use, while also warning that if conditions continue as they are then formal water usage restrictions may be introduced during the winter.
Pictured: The water treatment plant in St Saviour.
The problem is that water resources remain low, having dropped to 69% by the end of October. That is the lowest the water resources have been for the island so far this year.
Guernsey Water said that although September was the wettest month of the year so far, rainfall was 20% below average in October.
The utility has also said that although water resource levels increased slightly following the rain at the beginning of November, it is still below the ten-year average for this time of year.
Steve Langlois, Managing Director at Guernsey Water said we all now need to be thinking about conserving water, by considering how long we take in the shower and other ideas.
“Water conservation is easy to put at the back of your mind as lawns and fields have once again turned green, and we spend more time indoors now the seasons have changed," he said. "But we must remember that the last 12 months have been exceptionally dry, with 32% less rainfall than we would normally expect over this period.
“Normally levels would start to increase in October, which is the start of our winter recharge period, but this year levels actually dropped slightly in October. We need a period of persistent rain for soil moisture to recover and streams to start flowing continuously. This is why we are still asking islanders to use water wisely."
Pictured: Steve Langlois is Guernsey Water's Managing Director.
Guernsey Water has said that although its resources ensured the island did not need to implement any water use restrictions during the summer, restrictions may be required if the weather continues to be drier than normal through the winter.
Among the tips for conserving water use to prevent that happening, Mr Langlois said it can be as simple as turning the tap off while cleaning your teeth.
“This can be as simple as not leaving a tap running whilst brushing your teeth, or reducing time spent in the shower. It may help to consider that every drop of water used this winter slows down the recovery of our Island’s water resources,” he said.
Similar warnings regarding water use have been made earlier this year.
In August, Mr Langlois warned that: "...we must never think we are immune to water shortages; we have experienced droughts in the past that would still require water restrictions if they were repeated today. Our plans suggest that on average this could happen once every 20 years.
“Restrictions could still be needed if the dry weather continues, especially if that is followed by a dry winter, as we saw between 1991 and 1992. We can all help reduce the chance of that happening by using water wisely.”
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