1.5 Billion Gallons Of Raw Sewage Discharged In Guernsey In The Last Year

SAS demo the States of Guernsey for decision on future of sewage treatment.

Campaigners from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) actioned Guernsey Ministers yesterday to remind them that over the last year around 1.5 billion gallons of raw sewage and wastewater have been discharged into Guernsey waters because of the island's antiquated sewerage infrastructure.

1 year ago this week SAS campaigners started a 60-hour vigil on the steps of Sir Charles Frossard House that called on the States to adopt a full sewage treatment policy, which would deal responsibly with the islands sewage and bring it in line with many other top tourist seaside destinations. At the end of the vigil SAS put Ministers against the clock by setting a sewage counter running. This counter will continue to run until the States adopted a 'state of the art' sewage treatment system - the only way to provide clean and safe recreational water in the future.

Following the ending of the vigil and with political support beginning to emerge for an improved sewage treatment system, SAS took a step back to allow the States to digest the green paper and to explore sewage treatment systems already in place across parts of the UK.

But key timelines recorded in the Green Paper (issued early on 16th December 2005) have failed to be met and SAS are once again stepping up the pressure for a decision to be made.

After gathering over 4000 islander signatures and forcing this issue to the top of the political agenda we are keen to see a decision from the States on this issue, especially since the 1997 Liquid Waste Strategy Assessment originally recommended 'that sewage treatment should come into operation within a five to ten year timescale'. That projection has also failed to be met and SAS are beginning to question whether the States are now about to backtrack further.

Richard Hardy, SAS Campaigns Director says: "Over 4000 people in Guernsey have called on the States to provide the island with full sewage treatment to protect Guernsey's natural environment, those who use the water for recreation and the island's tourism reputation. A full year has passed and SAS believes the States should now be in a position to make some key decisions, before another 1.5 billion gallons of raw sewage and wastewater are dumped off Guernsey's coastline".

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