> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Fort George outfall repaired and operating normally - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/fort-george-outfall-repaired-and-operating-normally/ - Published: 2026-10-30T09:49:20.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-30T09:49:20.000Z - Author: The Quarry - Tags: News - Fort George outfall repaired and operating normally following installation of new pipe section - Work completed on 28 October by Guernsey Ports dive team during favourable tidal window - Additional visits required to complete concrete block protection around pipe - Guernsey Water to increase frequency of inspections on the outfall to monitor its condition - Utility company thanked public for patience during repair work Listen to this article 0:00 /0 1× Guernsey Water has confirmed that the Fort George outfall has been repaired and is operating normally again following the installation of a new section of pipe. Work was completed on 28 October by the Guernsey Ports dive team, who used a favourable tidal window to install the pipe. The pipe had been transported to the harbour earlier in the month. ## Background and history The Fort George outfall's story begins with the fort itself, constructed between 1780 and 1812 as a military garrison to house troops defending Guernsey against Napoleonic invasion. Historical records from 1849 show drainage infrastructure was already a consideration at Fort George, with National Archive plans documenting proposed drainage from the hospital privy to the sea. Guernsey's wastewater network evolved from open channels through town streets in the 1800s into a closed pipe system, partly in response to an 1832 cholera outbreak. The network expanded progressively through St Peter Port and St Sampson's during the late 1800s and early 1900s, extending into St Martin's and the Vale areas by the mid-1960s when a major pumping station and long sea outfall were constructed at Belle Greve. The Fort George outfall, serving approximately 75 homes in the development, is now around 60 years old and represents a small remnant of separate infrastructure—handling just 0.3% of the island's wastewater while Belle Greve processes 99.7%. Between 2007 and 2015, Guernsey invested £35 million in a five-phase Belle Greve Wastewater Centre upgrade, replacing outfalls that were 45 and 100 years old respectively. The Fort George outfall was last surveyed in 2015, with the break discovered in 2026 when the BBC shared drone footage showing discharge closer to shore than designed. A 2013 government document had noted plans to eventually intercept and divert the Fort George outfall into the Belle Greve catchment, though this was deferred from recent investment plans. Earliest reference: National Archive records from 1849 document drainage infrastructure at Fort George, showing a plan for drainage from the hospital privy to the sea—the earliest known reference to wastewater disposal at the site. Source: [National Archives - Fort George drainage plans, 1849](https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C9415669?ref=thequarry.media) Source: [Guernsey Water - History of wastewater infrastructure](https://water.gg/about/history/?ref=thequarry.media) Source: [States of Guernsey Billet d'État, September 2013](https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=84018&p=0&ref=thequarry.media) Source: [Water Projects Online - Belle Greve Wastewater Centre Phase IV](https://waterprojectsonline.com/case-studies/belle-greve-wastewater-centre-phase-iv/?ref=thequarry.media) Source: [States of Guernsey - Completion of sea outfall replacement project](https://gov.gg/article/135011/Completion-of-Guernsey-Waters-sea-outfall-replacement-project?ref=thequarry.media) Source: [The Quarry - Fort George outfall investigation](https://www.thequarry.media/disconnecting-the-fort-george-sea-outfall-was-not-going-to-happen-for-at-least-a-decade-then-it-broke-and-posed-a-2m-question/) Source: [Guernsey Press - Fort George outfall repair progress](https://guernseypress.com/news/2026/09/27/new-section-of-pipe-ready-for-repair-to-damaged-sewage-outfall?ref=thequarry.media) Whilst the outfall is now functioning as normal, the dive team will need to make additional visits to complete works on concrete block protection around the pipe. The pipe itself, however, is fully installed and operational. Carl Falla, capital delivery manager at Guernsey Water, said: "Since being made aware of the broken pipe, teams from Guernsey Water and Guernsey Ports have been hard at work behind the scenes to identify the quickest and safest way to remove the old broken pipe and install the new one. It was not easy work, which couldn't have been completed without the help of Guernsey Ports' dive team. "We know this story has generated public concern and we have issued regular updates on the repairs. We thank everyone for their patience and are pleased to announce the work has been done and is operating normally. "We will be increasing the frequency of inspections on the outfall from now on, to regularly monitor its condition." Guernsey Water is the island's only water company, overseeing the collection, storage, treatment and distribution of potable water to over 25,000 homes and businesses. It also manages the collection and safe disposal of all the island's wastewater. ## Q&A **Q: When was the Fort George outfall repair completed?** A: The repair was completed on 28 October 2026 by the Guernsey Ports dive team, who installed the new section of pipe during a favourable tidal window. **Q: Is the outfall fully operational now?** A: Yes, the outfall is now operating normally. Whilst additional visits are needed to complete concrete block protection around the pipe, the pipe itself is fully installed and working as normal. **Q: What steps will Guernsey Water take to prevent future issues?** A: Guernsey Water will be increasing the frequency of inspections on the outfall to regularly monitor its condition going forward.