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A storm-water drainage system capable of handling the major rainfall that caused last month's flooding would cost around £200 million to install, according to the Assistant Minister responsible for climate change policy.
In a letter to residents of Grands Vaux, Deputy Hilary Jeune said this was "not something that the island could readily afford" and would only work properly when the tide was low enough.
Deputy Jeune was responding to an open letter from flood-hit residents in the area, who called for an update on plans to protect their homes from future flooding.
Sections of the Andium estates were submerged in waist-high water last month, when unmanageable rainfall overwhelmed drains across the island.
Pictured: Drains were overwhelmed by the intense volume of rainfall
Nearly 60 households were evacuated and a major incident was declared, with the bulk of the emergency service response focusing on Grands Vaux – which has been hit with flooding in previous years.
As of last week, around a third of the evacuated households had been unable to return – instead remaining in the temporary accommodation provided to them.
In the wake of the incident, a number of residents sent an open letter to Jersey Water, Andium Homes and Deputy Jeune asking for clarification on the immediate and long-term actions that would be taken to prevent future flooding in the area.
Pictured: Deputy Hilary Jeune.
Deputy Jeune yesterday sent a reply, as did Infrastructure Minister Deputy Tom Binet, who said he felt his "additional response" was warranted given his role as Infrastructure Minister.
In her letter, Deputy Jeune described to the island's drainage system as "Victorian" and said its capacity was no greater than "at the time of its installation".
She went on to state that it would cost "somewhere in the region of £200 million" to install a storm-water drainage system that could cope with the volume of rain that came down.
"[This is] not something that the island could readily afford under current circumstances and, in any event, it could only work properly when the tide was sufficiently low to allow it to run to sea," she wrote.
Listen: Express spoke to Jersey Water in the wake of the floods - listen above or via your favourite podcast provider.
"Whilst every effort will be made to stop such flooding happening again, a failsafe short-term solution may be very difficult to achieve. We are completely committed to keeping you up to date and informed about our progress."
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