Plant makes 5.5m extra litres of drinking water

A utility firm has begun using its desalination plant to convert seawater into freshwater to top up reservoir levels amid the ongoing drought and high temperatures.

Jersey Water announced plans earlier this month to use the plant in La Rosière, Corbière, which it said was predominately used as a "back up" when it became concerned about reservoir levels.

The island's reservoirs can hold a maximum supply of water to last 120 days but levels have declined over the summer, with temperatures rising as high as 39.3°C (102.7F), and a drought later confirmed.

Mark Manton, Jersey Water's chief operations officer said the plant added about 5.5 million litres of additional water per day.

The island recorded its wettest month on record in February after consistent rainfall, and its warmest June since records began in 1894, when temperatures hit a record-breaking 39.3°C (102.7F).

Jersey Water said the plant would contribute the extra water into Val de la Mare reservoir, which was the equivalent to around a quarter of the Island's average daily supply.

It said the facility would run at half capacity, unless conditions in the coming weeks and months "require additional water production".

It said the drought had caused reservoir levels to fall to 64%, which it said was "considerably low for the time of year" and while "there remains enough water to meet current demand, the island will need significant rainfall this autumn and winter to replenish stocks".

Jersey Water said the large fire which broke out near the plant on Monday was a "close call" and, had it been damaged, the island would have lost a vital part of its drought response.

Manton said the plant was a safety net during prolonged dry periods and drought but the island could not "rely on it" for its water supply.

He said it was "really important that islanders reduce how they use water".

"The plant has served Jersey very well, but much of it is more than 40 years old and only meets around half of the island's current daily water needs."

The firm said the plant would continue to be used until it was confident reservoir levels had returned to a "healthy level".

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