Jersey Water has published its investment priorities for the second year of its strategy to 2030 and confirmed its water charges for 2027 - plans include a major multi-million pound desalination plant upgrade.
Following a summer that highlighted the importance of resilient water supplies in Jersey and across Europe, the utility says it is continuing its investment programme to strengthen the Island’s water security and adapt to hotter, drier conditions expected in the years ahead.
A key priority for 2027 will be the start of a £26 million upgrade to the La Rosière desalination plant. The Reverse Osmosis (RO) was constructed in 1999, replacing the original desalination plant constructed in 1970 which was the first desalination plant in the British Isles. The current plant, still the only one, has been running for 2 weeks producing 6 million litres of fresh
water per day – costing around £2,000 per day to run. The plant has produced 9% of the total water consumption for the month of August. The upgrade represents the biggest investment in water resources since Queen’s Valley Reservoir was commissioned more than 35 years ago.
To support investment in the Island’s water supply infrastructure, Jersey Water has confirmed water charges for 2027. From 1 January 2027, average households can expect to pay an extra 8 pence per day for their water, which is equivalent to an additional £2.55 per month or £30.60 per year.
The major upgrade of the desalination plant will increase its output by up to 50%, strengthening Jersey’s ability to maintain water supplies during prolonged periods of low rainfall and drought.
The investment forms a critical part of the company’s plans to adapt to changing weather patterns, which are expected to place increasing pressure on water resources and increase the risk of water shortages in the years ahead.
Jersey Water will also continue preparations for future PFAS requirements with pilot trials and treatment technology evaluations, alongside investments in water infrastructure that further strengthen operational resilience. The company has allocated £2 million for PFAS work over the financial years for 2026 and 2027. The pilot trials which began in May 2026 at both of its water treatment works are testing different treatment approaches. The trials are also intended to provide reliable evidence to inform future investment decisions.
Helier Smith, Chief Executive Officer for Jersey Water commented:
“Safe, reliable water is something every household and business depends on every day. Recent summers have demonstrated how much pressure prolonged dry weather can place on the Island’s water resources, and climate change means we expect these challenges to become more frequent in the future.
“We are very aware that any increase in household bills comes at a difficult time for many customers, and we remain committed to providing support and assistance to those who need it. We have worked hard to keep customers’ bills as low as possible, while balancing the need to make essential investments that will help ensure Jersey has a resilient and secure water supply for the future.
“We have a responsibility to plan ahead. The upgrade of our desalination plant will be the biggest investment in the Island’s water infrastructure for a generation and will play a vital role in helping us maintain supplies during drought conditions.
“When we published our 2030 strategy last year, we were clear that increases in water charges would be necessary to support the investment required to secure Jersey’s long-term water supply. The increase will enable us to deliver that investment, strengthening the Island’s resilience and helping to ensure a safe, reliable water supply for generations to come.”
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