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Guernsey Water are calling on cesspit customers to call up and discuss their collection schedule to ensure its correct, with new charges for unnecessary or inaccessible collections due to come in next week.
Some Express readers have raised concerns that the suggestion will lead them to being fined for having a less-than-full cesspit or having to open the lid and check wastewater levels themselves.
Guernsey Water have defended the changes saying it is seeking to increase collection capacity and efficiency within existing budgets, and that only a tiny number of collections will be affected.
It’s also looking to minimise other fee increases with its 2023 account showing increased losses and concerns with recruitment and retention in the cesspit collection team.
The utility says around 3,500 collections cannot be done annually due to the emptying point being inaccessible, while nearly 1,000 pits are collected when they are less than a quarter full.
It will start charging the unsubsidised collection rate of £27.18 for any emptying that can’t be carried out, and for pits that aren’t full enough, from 3 June.
A letter sent to households earlier this month reported recent survey results with around 14% of respondents saying they weren't satisfied with the consistency of cesspit collections.
“The catalyst for this letter was our recent cesspit customer survey, in which 86% of respondents said they agreed or strongly agreed they were satisfied with the service. The main issue identified from the remaining 14% was their cesspit not being emptied consistently on collection days,” Customer Services Manager Tania Sargent said.
Pictured: Guernsey Water are hoping to make better use of collectors' time.
“Overall, these charges affect 2% of yearly collections and are designed to ensure the system is as efficient as possible – with the current 4,500 yearly inaccessible or not required loads representing the workload of a full-time driver for six months of the year – a resource we can ‘gain’ for free if that number drops to zero.”
“The ideal scenario for us is that number hitting zero and no charge ever being issued.”
She said around 5% of cesspit users have already called to review their schedule with changes made in most cases which will “add resilience into the system”.
“We would encourage customers to call us on 229500 to discuss their schedule, with each one being unique to the customer and their circumstances. Do please have your cesspit ID to hand, which can be found on the letter sent.”
The survey also showed a customer preference to receive correspondence via email, which is being implemented.
Over 5,000 people are on cesspits with 36 tanker drivers transferring around 50m litres of into the sewer network.
Water plans for more debt and charges to fund infrastructure projects
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