Stream Clean Reminder

Guernsey Water is reminding islanders who have streams, douits, and other watercourses on their land that they must all be cleared of vegetation and other obstructions by 15 June 2018.

The States Trading Advisory Board, in its capacity as the Central Streams Committee is issuing notice to owners of land bordering controlled streams that they must be cleaned and an unrestricted flow of water ensured by 15 June 2018 after which date the streams will be inspected by the appropriate Streams Committee.

Maintenance of the island's waterways is undertaken annually to ensure the unrestricted flow of water into the island's catchments and minimise the risk of flooding.

Jon Holt, operations manager of Guernsey Water said: "It is very important that all waterways on the island are cleared of debris and other vegetation as this can cause poor flows or even blockages. If we suddenly experience a heavy downpour and the rainwater is unable to drain away this could lead to serious flooding.

"We are asking landowners to work with the parish douzaines to maintain their streams, reduce the risk of flooding and ensure we keep our valuable water flowing."

To clean a stream and enable unrestricted flow involves not only the cutting and removal of weed from the bed but also the removal of any obstruction to the flow of water and any silt, which may have accumulated in the stream bed.

Streams absorb and store a significant amount of rainwater and runoff, but if they are not regularly maintained this can lead to localised flooding which in the past has caused road closures while the excess water is cleared.

Guernsey Water works in partnership with the Parish douzaines who are responsible for ensuring that the waterways in each of their areas of the island are maintained. 

For more advice on the law (Section 6 (4) of the Loi Relative aux Douits 1936) contact a member of your local Parish Stream Committee or the Streams Inspector at Guernsey Water.

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