Sewage on Guernsey beach after pump failure

Guernsey Water said further repairs would be needed to bring the station back to full capacity

A "total failure" of a pumping station has led to sewage being discharged on a Guernsey beach.

Guernsey Water said the foul and storm water pumping station at Vazon flooded and failed.

The pump was out of action for nearly four hours with repairs completed shortly before 15:00 GMT.

Jon Holt, operations manager, said: "We managed to keep the discharge into La Grande Mare stream and Vazon outfall to a minimum."

Signs have been placed at Vazon and Perelle, but sewage was only discharged at Vazon

Mr Holt said: "It appears it was a mechanical failure in the dry well of the pumping station caused by flooding of the electronics."

The company said there was no risk to properties in the area and it was discussing the contamination of the stream with La Grande Mare Hotel.

The Vazon pumping station collects the west coast's storm and foul water, which is then fed up the hill to the trunk sewer at Haye du Puits, Castel,

Waste water then flows downhill for preliminary treatment before discharge by the outfall pipes in Belle Greve Bay.