Project to install 100m of new water main in Mill Street
- Over 100 metres of new water main is being installed in Mill Street.
- The project, which began on 2 January, replaces an 80-year-old main.
- The replacement follows two burst incidents in 2025, including one that flooded a business.
- Local contractors, Geomarine and Tarmac Services, are involved in the project.
- Guernsey Water plans to invest £130 million in infrastructure improvements by 2037.
Guernsey Water is currently undertaking its first major infrastructure project of 2026, involving the installation of more than 100 metres of new water main in Mill Street.
The project commenced on 2 January and aims to replace a main that has been in use for 80 years. The decision to replace this aging infrastructure was made following two bursts that occurred in 2025, one of which resulted in flooding at a local business.
Capital Delivery Manager Carl Falla said: “This is a major piece of work that will futureproof the main in that area until nearly the turn of the next century.
"We know this is disruptive work, and that’s why we chose January to start the work to allow the Christmas trading season to happen for the local businesses. We hand delivered letters to all of them and have kept access to businesses open throughout.”
Despite challenging weather conditions, including extremely heavy rainfall, the project team has successfully managed to replace an average of 10 metres of pipe per week.
The work involves digging down to the old cast iron main, isolating and removing it, and then laying a new, more durable plastic main.
The process also requires careful cleaning and re-laying of paving stones, which is time-consuming. Once the area is backfilled and the paving is completed, the section of the road will be reopened to pedestrians.
Falla added, “Doing nothing is not a cost-free option and simply stores up problems for the future. This is one project of many investing in critical infrastructure during 2026, when in total we expect to spend £7.8m on maintaining and upgrading the island’s water and wastewater networks.”
Guernsey Water envisions investing nearly £130 million from now until 2037 with the goal of renewing and improving critical infrastructure to better protect the island against future water shortages.
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