FURTHER restrictions on the use of water may be needed next spring and summer if groundwater levels are not restored, according to the chief executive of Jersey Water.
Helier Smith said that the Island was predicted to be ‘drier than average’ in the coming months, which could also lead to extended use of the desalination plant next year.
The plant at Corbière was brought back into action this summer and at one point provided half the Island’s water needs, at a cost of £8,000 a day.
Last month, the company lifted its hosepipe ban after it was introduced in August following a long spell of dry and hot weather.
In Jersey Water’s annual report for 2022, Mr Smith said: ‘This year was marked by low rainfall levels and a long, hot summer.
‘Together, these factors necessitated the extended operation of the desalination plant from 1 August and the introduction of a temporary-use ban from 26 August.
‘The combined effects of desalination, the drought-information campaign and temporary restrictions meant we ended the year with water resources at 65%, slightly below the ten-year average for the time of year.’
He added: ‘Modelling suggests that without these interventions, water resources would have reduced to 45%. Since the year end, water resources have recovered sufficiently for the temporary-use ban to be lifted in mid November and the desalination plant to be shut down.’
Mr Smith said that despite heavy rainfall in November, ‘the long-range forecast currently suggests drier than average seasonal rainfall over the coming months’.
‘If groundwater levels are not restored, further restrictions may prove necessary over the spring and summer of 2023, coupled with further extended use of the desalination facility,’ he added.
Commenting on PFAS, a potentially harmful chemical found in dozens of Islanders’ blood after it polluted water sources in St Ouen’s Bay, the company said in the report: ‘To manage the current water-quality risk, we monitor the level of PFAS at the treatment works and in the affected water sources through an extensive sampling and analysis programme. The results of our testing provide assurance that the drinking water supply in Jersey remains fully compliant with water-quality limits for PFAS set by the EU Drinking Water Directive and UK Regulations.’
They added: ‘To find a potential solution to the PFAS problem, our production and technical teams continue to work with a leading remediation specialist.’
nThe company made a profit of £6,765,000 before tax, which is an increase on the £6,691,000 it made in 2021.
nJersey Water said 82.7% of those who completed their annual Institute of Customer Service survey rated their service as ‘excellent’.
nThey added the number of people who complained about the quality of their drinking water had almost halved this year. ‘For the fourth consecutive year, significantly fewer customers contacted Jersey Water regarding the acceptability of their drinking water. We received just 65 contacts in 2022, nearly half the number (122) received in 2020. The majority of these concerns related to the colour, taste and odour of the drinking water. The number of contacts remains significantly below the industry average for England and Wales,’ they said.
