Successful year for Jersey Water, despite challenges.
Jersey Water has released its preliminary financial results for 2016. The Company, which is 74 per cent owned by the States of Jersey, increased profit before tax by 4.4%, whilst managing a number of water quality and supply challenges.
The year was dominated by the discovery of pesticides in Val de la Mare reservoir and elsewhere, including the discontinued fungicide oxadixyl, as well as the ongoing pollution from nitrates. In spite of these challenges, the quality of the water supplied by the Company in 2016 remained very high with an overall regulatory compliance rate of 99.99%.
A total of £4.6m was invested in the Island’s water infrastructure, including water quality improvement initiatives, installing 1.3km of new mains, replacement of 2km mains, and adding 374 new water connections to the network.
Jersey Water’s Chief Executive, Helier Smith, said: “We are pleased with our financial performance in 2016 and with our water quality results for the year. Both are evidence of the hard work of the team at Jersey Water, who maintained our usual service and quality standards whilst dealing with the issues presented by the poor quality of the water entering our reservoirs.
“The small size of the water catchments in Jersey and the intensity of farming practices do mean that water resources are vulnerable to pollution from nitrates and other substances. We continue to work closely with all stakeholders on a long-term solution but, in the meantime, through the effective management of water resources, we continue to provide water that meets the highest safety and regulatory standards.
“Water consumption rose by 3.7% during the year, we supplied 7.6 billion litres compared to 7.3 in 2015. This increase is attributable to a drier than average summer, the effect of new customers and leakage fixed during the year.
“We remain committed to helping customers to reduce their water consumption and water bills by encouraging them to think about their water usage. Repairs to dripping taps, leaking hot water systems and toilet overflows; the water lost through these small leaks can be as much as a bath full of water per day so saving water really does save money. It also helps protect the environment and maintain our water resources, especially as the springtime is predicted to be dry.”