Cesspit users to be charged for missed collections

Guernsey Water will start charging customers a fee if drivers can't access their cesspits

Guernsey Water has said it will start charging customers if its staff are unable to empty cesspits.

A fee of £27.18 will apply if pits are inaccessible or empty, the company said.

It said the aim was to reduce unnecessary visits and people were urged to consider changing the frequency of collections.

There are current currently more than 5,000 cesspits served by 36 drivers across the island, the firm said.

The charges will come into force from 3 June.

In a letter to customers, Guernsey Water said: "A wasted journey leads to an inefficient service, rearranged collections and increases the chance of us missing collections on scheduled days.

"In busy times it can also mean we miss out four-hour target for emergency call outs."