Jersey Water has announced that, as of tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday), the walking routes at Val de la Mare Reservoir will re-open to the public.
From 1400h on Wednesday 11 January visitors will be able to access the footpaths around the reservoir from both the North and South sides and the car park will be re-opened. Access from Le Mont Rossignol will remain closed for the time being. Security patrols are, however, still taking place at both Val de la Mare and Queens Valley Reservoirs and the Company is reminding people that dogs must be kept on a lead at all times along the reservoir walks.
Val de la Mare and the Island’s other reservoirs are now 92% full, as a result of the 152% above average rainfall for December and the Desalination Plant, which produced 200 million litres of fresh water in the 6 weeks it was in operation, is no longer running. In view of the unusual rainfall patterns and mild temperatures for the time of year, the Company remains cautious about rainfall and the water position for 2012 and is reminding customers not to waste water.
Commenting, Managing Director Howard Snowden, said:
“We are delighted to be able to re-open the footpaths around Val de la Mare Reservoir and would like to thank members of the public for their patience while the closure was in place. The routes were closed for safety reasons while essential maintenance work on the reservoir dam was undertaken last year.
“We have experienced significant levels of rainfall over the past few weeks, which have increased water stocks by 50%. However, the exceptionally dry autumn of 2011 has served as a reminder to us all that we live on an Island which has limited water resources.”
“Therefore, the message stays the same, and we ask our customers to use water wisely and not to waste it.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Howard Snowden
Managing Director
T: 707301