ISLANDERS will face a rise in the cost of water from the start of 2024.
An average household water bill will be around 12p per day higher from 1 January, equating to 10.9% or around £45 per year, Jersey Water has announced.
The utility company said that the rise was the result of escalating costs in many areas, but that it was able to maintain its policy of remaining at or inside the rate of inflation, using Jersey’s 10.9% retail price index figure for June.
Chief executive Helier Smith said the company had managed to stay within its inflation policy for 17 of the past 20 years, emphasising that it was aware of the economic circumstances for many Islanders.
He said: “We remain mindful that many Islanders are also experiencing pressure on their own cost of living, so we have done all we can to offset the increases in our operational costs and limit what is passed onto our customers.
“At the same time, we need to maintain our water charges at appropriate levels to ensure Jersey Water can continue to deliver the high-quality water supply and service levels that customers expect, whilst maintaining investment in the Island’s water resources, network, treatment facilities and other infrastructure.”
Costs had risen in many areas, Mr Smith said, including staff wages and fees charged by contractors, energy prices, supplier bills and interest charges.
Islanders would not face any further increase in the price of water until the start of 2025, Mr Smith said.
Jersey Water is asking customers to get in touch if they have difficulty paying their water bill, or want details on saving money via free water-saving devices or the free GetWaterFit app, with information also available at jerseywater.je
