With rainfall levels 30% lower than last year and 20% below the five-year average, Jersey Water is once again asking Islanders to make small but vital changes to their daily routines to save water.
Although the rain so far this week has been welcome, a lot more is needed to recover reservoir storage levels, after one of the driest springs on record, a long hot summer and below average rainfall so far this autumn. These factors combined have led to the Island’s total water storage currently standing at just 57% and falling quickly. In the last two weeks alone, levels have dropped by 5%, the equivalent of 117 million litres of water.
As a result, Jersey Water has made the decision to restart the desalination plant and will continue to monitor the situation closely. The plant has already run for two months this year, from the end of July to the end of September and helped boost water supplies by more than 200 million litres.
Mark Bowden, Head of Water Resilience and Emergency Planning, said: “We rely on the autumn and winter months to replenish our stocks. After such a dry spring and summer, if we don’t get sufficient rain before the end of the year, it could put us in a really difficult position going into 2026. While we’ve had some rain, there is still a long way to go before the reservoirs recover.
“Over the summer, we asked customers to make small changes to how they use water. Those changes meant that our resources have lasted longer and we haven’t needed to introduce any restrictions. We really want that to continue, and we thank everyone for their actions, as those small changes have made a big difference. Once again, we are asking people to reduce their usage as much possible to help preserve our Island’s supply.”
While the longer-term seasonal forecasts suggest rainfall may return to more average levels in the coming months, reducing everyday water use is the most effective way to make sure supplies last longer and avoid restrictions.
To help further raise awareness, Jersey Water is asking Islanders to support Water Night on Thursday 23 October, a campaign run by UK water efficiency experts Waterwise. The annual event asks households and businesses to join a symbolic ‘water pause’ by turning off taps between 17:00 and 22:00, encouraging everyone to think about how they use water. Fort Regent, Mont Orgueil Castle and St Helier Town Hall will be lit up in blue to mark the occasion along with other iconic buildings across the British Isles to mark to show national support for the campaign.
About the campaign, Mark Bowden added: “Water Night is an opportunity for us all to stop and think about where we can cut back on waste. We understand that not everyone can turn off the taps between 17:00 and 22:00, but the real message is about being conscious of how we use this precious resource. Whether it’s shortening showers, fixing a dripping tap or waiting until the dishwasher is full before running it, every action helps protect our supplies. It’s our water and our responsibility.
“Our customers have told us how important the environment is to them and protecting our water supplies is part of that bigger picture. It’s about ensuring we have the resources we need not just today, but for generations to come. Water Night is about driving that conversation and sparking awareness. By coming together as a community, we can all play our part in protecting Jersey’s water supply.”
Pictured: Grands Vaux
