Guernsey Water backs plan for new reservoir

Guernsey needs a new reservoir due to a growing population, declining water quality in streams and more frequent droughts, according to the head of the island's water company.

Steve Langlois, managing director of Guernsey Water, said he supported the States' plan for a new reservoir at Les Vardes quarry in St Sampson.

Mr Langlois said the reservoir was needed because there was "a water deficit now that needs closing".

"We can no longer rely on collecting water from some of the island's streams, because of water quality concerns," he said.

The water company boss said Guernsey needed to "start planning now for more severe droughts than the island has ever experienced before because of climate change".

He said the firm had updated its Water Resources and Drought Management Plan, which looks as far into the future as 2080, to include the risks.

The new reservoir was likely to costs "tens of millions of pounds" and take several years to complete because "site investigations, planning permissions, design and then construction", he added.

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