The Environment Minister has warned that the island’s drainage system is under strain and could hold back future development – including new housing and tourism projects.
Speaking at a recent Chamber of Commerce event, Deputy Steve Luce said that some planning applications are already being affected by the “state of the drainage system”.
He explained that developers are being told to install temporary storage tanks to manage wastewater – something he warned is not a long-term solution.
“Only yesterday, I reiterated yet again to the Council of Ministers my concerns over the state of the drainage system and its capacity,” he said.
“If you wanted to build a new hotel in Trinity to support tourism, the application would be rejected because there’s no capacity in the drainage system.
“Instead, they’d be told to install an attenuation tank and pump waste out slowly overnight.”
Deputy Luce said the same issue is affecting new housing developments rezoned in the last Island Plan.
“Sites in St Peter and St Martin have all had to install attenuation tanks to feed into the system overnight when demand is low,” the Minister said.
While there are plans to upgrade and expand the sewer network, Deputy Luce made it clear that progress is too slow.
“In my view – and I won’t be thanked for saying this – we’re kicking the can down the road,” he said.
The Minister added: “I worry a lot about the state of the drains.
“It’s not my department, and I know [Infrastructure Minister] Andy Jehan is concerned.
“But drains are one of those things nobody thinks about until they stop working.
“And when they do, people moan a lot – and they’re right to.”