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Guernsey Water is reminding islanders who have streams, douits, and other watercourses on their land to ensure that they are cleared of vegetation and silt by 15 June.
This vital maintenance of waterways is undertaken annually to ensure the unrestricted flow of water into the island’s catchments and minimise the risk of flooding.
All streams are required by law to be cleared of vegetation and other obstructions by 15 June ahead of Parish inspections by the streams committees.
“At this time of year vegetation and siltation of our hundreds of waterways can be prolific, resulting in low flows or even blockage. If we suddenly experience a heavy downpour and the rainwater is unable to drain away, there could be serious flooding. It is important that we all work with our local douzaines to ensure we keep this water flowing,” said Stephen Langlois, Director of Water Services.
“It is therefore really important that landowners maintain their watercourses to reduce the risk of flooding to the surrounding areas and neighbouring properties,” he said.
Guernsey Water works in partnership with the local douzaines who ultimately have the responsibility in each canton of the island to ensure that Guernsey’s waterways are maintained.
Larry Granger, senior constable of the Vale Parish said: “A lot of water is pumped from the island’s streams and douits so it is essential that they are kept clean and free flowing. No one knows the parishes better than the local douzeniers and therefore by working closely with Guernsey Water we are able to liaise with landowners to help identify problems.”
To clean a stream and ensure an unrestricted flow involves not only the cutting and removal of weed from the bed but also the removal of any other obstruction to the flow of water as well as silt which may have accumulated in the stream bed.
Streams absorb and store a significant amount of rainwater and runoff, but if they are not regularly maintained this can lead to localised flooding which in the past has caused road closures while the excess water is cleared.
For more advice on the law (Section 6 (4) of the Loi Relative aux Douits 1936) contact a member of your local Parish Stream Committee or the Streams Inspector at Guernsey Water.
