P&R said: “The law has hindered progress of Phase Two of the Mouriaux to Platte Saline Sewer project which will connect properties in the area to the main sewer drains and create a new pumping station.”
Pictured: The Sewerage Law was designed to collect a fee from new build properties on connection to the public sewer “in order to contribute to its maintenance”.
P&F continued: “When the Mouriaux to Platte Saline project was initially discussed, the Policy & Finance Committee (P&F) agreed that the Law should be amended to exempt the charge for around 100 properties that were being asked to change to main drains under the States scheme.
“Once these large areas have been added to the main drainage system there will only be a few properties at the eastern end of the Island that are not on mains drainage and have cesspits emptied by States Works. The General Services Committee recently reaffirmed the policy that as many properties as possible should be encouraged to connect to the public sewer network.
“However, P&F has reviewed the Law’s effectiveness and has recommended it is repealed in its entirety because the fees are difficult to collect as they are charged retrospectively after connection and, as these are relatively small amounts, the money raised is not proportionately linked to maintenance costs.”
Pictured: The current connection fee is £500 for a private home, £1,000 for a commercial property and £2,000 for a hotel.
The law did not generate any additional income in 2021 and has yet to generate any this year either.
A recommendation to repeal the Sewerage Law has now been announced and legislation should be brought before the States of Alderney for debate as soon as it’s done.