No compensation over burst pipe

Pump pipe at Cobo Beach

More pumps are being brought in to drain foul water

The offer of compensation to businesses and households affected by sewage pollution in Guernsey has been ruled out, a minister has said.

The pipe burst on Sunday night near the Belle Greve pumping station. Nearby gardens were flooded and foul water had to be pumped to beaches.

Public Services Minister Bernard Flouquet said no money was likely to be paid because it was an act of God.

Engineers repairing the pipe said they hoped to finish work by 15 August.

 I don't think there are any compensation issues here at all  

Minister Bernard Flouquet

Minister Flouquet said: "I don't think there are any compensation issues here at all as far as the States of Guernsey is concerned.

"I say that, as my personal view, primarily because the situation we had here was a force majeure situation.

"It was something which came out of the blue and we have a full investigation going on as far as my department is concerned."

The Public Services Department said it was expecting the pipe and fittings needed for the repairs at Belle Greve pumping station to arrive on Saturday.

Test results

It said all necessary preparatory work was being carried out in the meantime to ensure that the new pipe work could be put in place as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the department is using two more heavy duty emergency pumps to enable it to discharge more foul water through the Red Lion outfall.

It said the move would mean flows currently being discharged from St Sampson's, La Piette and the White Rock could be switched back to Belle Greve in a phased manner.

Test results analysing how much beaches have been polluted by the incident are expected on Friday.