Huge bill in the pipeline

Friday 28 March 2014

Islanders will have to pay £210 million over the next 20 years to sort out Jersey’s ageing and failing sewage works.

The Transport and Technical Services department say that sewage works and the network of 570 kilometres of drains and sewers are struggling to cope because of their age – some of the sewage pipes date back to the 19th century – and because of the rising population.

They say that there is now a “significant risk” that the infrastructure will not meet environmental regulation standards, and that the Attorney General has been reviewing whether or not he should prosecute the TTS minister for “ongoing consistent failure” to meet standards.

A new strategy proposed by department proposes a new £75 million sewage plant at Bellozanne, and another £135 million on the network of sewage pipes.

The proposals are due to go to the States in May for debate, but the report tabled by the Council of Ministers say that the money will have to be spent. Because the issue is such a major one, minister have taken the unusual step of dealing with it together, rather than letting one of them handle it on their own.

Their report says: “Over the years the plant has been refurbished and repaired but studies have shown that this is no longer feasible and the whole plant needs replacing at a cost of £75m.

“The strategy also covers the sewerage network, the sewers and drains that collect and transport sewage to Bellozanne for treatment and surface water to sea – some of which dates back to the latter part of the 19th Century.

“These assets have deteriorated over time to the point where the ability to achieve continued compliance with regulation, policies and Directives is now at significant risk. This is compounded by a number of future challenges such as tightening environmental legislation, potential population changes and effects of climate change.”