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WQ.161/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND RESOURCES
BY DEPUTY S.M. AHIER OF ST. HELIER NORTH
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 7th APRIL 2025
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 14th APRIL 2025
Question
"In relation to the connection of homes to mains water by Jersey Water, will the Minister, as shareholder representative, advise –
- the number of properties that rely on boreholes for their water supply;
- the number of properties, if any, that have been connected to mains water in each of the last five years;
- the amount, in metres, that the mains network has been extended in each of the last five years;
- the budget allocated each year by Jersey Water to connect properties to mains water;
- the estimated timeframe to connect all Islanders to mains water; and
- the cost, in total, of enabling all Islanders to have access to mains water?"
Answer
Jersey Water is committed to reaching more homes with mains water. Jersey Water reviews and prioritises its capital investment for extending the mains network on an annual basis, taking multiple factors into account including cost, water quality, and customer demand.
- Jersey Water does not hold information about the number of private borehole and wells in use on the Island. The company estimates that approximately 2,800 properties Island-wide do not currently have a mains water connection, which is roughly 5% of the total number of domestic households.
- & (c) Since 2020, Jersey Water has extended the mains network by nearly 3,000 metres/3km to connect to a further 105 properties to mains water, at a total cost of £777,000.
- Jersey Water's policy is to undertake extensions when funding is available, without increasing risk in other operational areas, and also ensuring that the connections deliver the best economic outcomes for the company, its customers and the Island. The number of new water mains that Jersey Water installs varies from year to year depending on competing operational and financial factors. While the company has a detailed mains extension programme ready to deliver when funds permit, there is a need to balance the required investment to upgrade the Island's existing water supply infrastructure (including renewing sections of the mains network), reduce leakage, install treatment solutions for PFAS, and address Jersey's future water resource challenges.
- & (f) Jersey Water estimates that the total cost of bringing mains water to all remaining properties that are located more than 50m from an existing main would exceed £36 million, based on 2024's prices and involve laying more than 90km of mains. Connection of properties to the water main would be subject to an additional connection charge for customers and the cost of modifying internal pipework. The timeline to complete this work would be dependent on the funds available each year and other competing operational factors.