An increase in water charges will see the average household pay an extra 8p per day from the start of next year.
Jersey Water announced the price hike as it outlined its priorities for the second year of its 2026 to 2030 strategy – which includes plans to embark on a £26 million upgrade of the Island’s desalination plant.
The utility company said the increased 2027 prices will add £2.55 per month or £30.60 per year to the average household bill.
This will bring the average annual bill to £473.77, a rise of around 6.9%.
We have worked hard to keep customers’ bills as low as possible, while balancing the need to make essential investments that will help ensure Jersey has a resilient and secure water supply for the future
Jersey Water chief executive Helier Smith
It follows previous price rises of 15.5% at the start of this year and 5.7%, 10.9% and 6% in each of the preceding years respectively.
The desalination plant project will increase the output of the facility, which helps to maintain water supplies during prolonged periods of low rainfall and drought, by up to 50%.
Other priorities Jersey Water has set out include continued preparations for future PFAS requirements with pilot trials and treatment technology evaluations, alongside investments in water infrastructure that “further strengthen operational resilience”.
Chief executive Helier Smith said that recent summers had shown the pressure that prolonged dry weather can place on the Island’s water resources.
“Climate change means we expect these challenges to become more frequent in the future,” Mr Smith continued.
“We are very aware that any increase in household bills comes at a difficult time for many customers and we remain committed to providing support and assistance to those who need it.
“We have worked hard to keep customers’ bills as low as possible, while balancing the need to make essential investments that will help ensure Jersey has a resilient and secure water supply for the future.”
Mr Smith cited “a responsibility to plan ahead”, describing the upgrade of the desalination plant as “the biggest investment in the Island’s water infrastructure for a generation”.
He added that it would play “a vital role” in helping maintain supplies during drought.
“When we published our 2030 strategy last year, we were clear that increases in water charges would be necessary to support the investment required to secure Jersey’s long-term water supply,” Mr Smith noted.
“The increase will enable us to deliver that investment, strengthening the Island’s resilience and helping to ensure a safe, reliable water supply for generations to come.”
