Water bills in Guernsey to rise by up to 12% in 2024

The annual increase will see bills for metered customers rise by up to about 12%

Water bills in Guernsey are set to rise by between £5 and £7 a month in 2024.

The annual increase, from 1 January, will see bills for metered customers rise by about 11%, and by about 12% for unmetered customers.

Guernsey Water said the move was due to increasing engineering costs and "investment".

The States Of Guernsey-owned utility said its 2024 budget included £7.7m of capital investment for its network and other infrastructure.

Managing director Steve Langlois said the company needed "to maintain and renew" its "essential facilities".

'Risen enormously'

He added: "We look after a vast network, comprising 14 reservoirs, more than 500km (310 miles) of underground water pipes, two treated water reservoirs, three water treatment works, over 300km (185 miles) of drainage pipes, 58 pumping stations and a wastewater centre.

"We also serve over 5,000 cesspit customers using States Works' fleet of 41 tankers.

"This is some of the island's most critical infrastructure that must provide 24/7 services, 365 days a year."

He added that "all the assets require replacement over time", but that costs had "risen enormously" over the past two years.

The emptying charge for a cesspit is due to increase from £7.83 per load to £9.09.

Since 2018, water and wastewater charges have increased by less than inflation.

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