Guernsey Water’s latest water quality report has shown our drinking water has a 99.95% compliance against UK standards.
6000 samples were analysed last year – out of the total 4,395million litres of drinking water supplied to island homes, businesses, and public facilities.
Just three breaches were discovered during the testing, said Daffyd Griffiths, Water Quality Risk Manager at Guernsey Water.
One of the breaches was at the Juas water treatment works where new samples were collected, that came back clear.
The other two breaches were discovered at the West Tank at the Forest Road Treated Service Reservoir. As a result, that tank was removed from the supply chain and work to upgrade it was brought forward to earlier this year. It is now back in service.
Mr Griffiths said the testing and subsequent action shows how robust the water testing systems are with high levels of compliance against UK water quality regulations.
He said other work to refurbish the St Saviour’s Water Treatment Works has further improved water quality.
“Ongoing investments such as these are critical to ensure we can continue to provide high quality drinking water for years to come,” said Mr Griffiths.
Further details around the water testing and the breaches discovered are available in the Guernsey Water 2024 Water Quality Report.
It covers the issue of pollutants, such as pesticides, that were previously discovered in the Vale Pond catchment.
Water from there is still unable to be collected reliably due to the pesticide contamination admitted Mr Griffiths.
“Although our results show a drop in the levels of glyphosate in un-treated water over recent years, an increase was seen in 2024,” he said.
“Samples were collected following the first rainfall after a fair-weather bank holiday weekend, and the results strongly suggest that this spike was a result of applications being made ahead of wet weather. A reminder to use pesticides responsibly, and to avoid spraying ahead of any forecast rain.”
