Guernsey law requires this essential maintenance to be undertaken by mid-June and again by the end of September to minimise risk of flooding and ensure an unrestricted flow of water into the island’s catchments.
Pictured: Landowners in the area around Vale Pond will be issued with notifications.
Margaret McGuinness, Water Quality Risk Manager at Guernsey Water, said the maintenance rules are essential.
“In order for the island’s streams to remain free flowing and to reduce any potential flood risks, we are reminding islanders once again to clear streams of any obstructions or growth,” she said.
“The free flow of water is something that we are all dependent on and the twice-yearly maintenance and clearance work is essential for us to effectively capture water and top up the island’s stored supply.”
Pictured: Margaret McGuinness, Water Quality Risk Manager at Guernsey Water.
Notifications are issued for landowners to clear streams and tributaries which discharge into 13 bays.
These areas include the Vale Pond, Grand Havre Bay, Rocquaine, Belle Greve, La Grande Mare, the public sewer at La Charroterie, La Lague in St Peter’s and Perelle. After the 15 June deadline, the parish douzaines then carry out inspections across the island.
Mrs McGuinness added: “There are approximately 165km of watercourses and douits around the island. Our douzaines’ work is very important to the upkeep of our streams. While this maintenance work often goes unseen, it is very important and something that we appreciate greatly.”
For advice on the law and responsibilities, landowners are advised to contact their parish or the Streams Inspector at Guernsey Water.
Guidance on cleaning streams and douits is available HERE.