Reservoir to close to deal with rat infestation

Jersey Water is closing a reservoir temporarily to deal with a rat infestation.

It said people have ignored requests and torn down signs asking them not to feed the birds at Queen's Valley Reservoir.

The water provider said people continued to drop food at the reservoir which had caused a rise in the rat population.

The water company said the rodents were a risk to public health because they compromised the water quality of the reservoir but there was no risk to treated drinking water.

It is planning to close the top area of the reservoir and the car park while it takes action to get rid of the rats.

It said the rats were gnawing through fences and eating duck eggs.

The food being dropped was also attracting seagulls which were taking ducklings, it added.

A Jersey Water spokesperson said: "By stopping the food source, our hope is that the rat population will dissipate. Failing that, we will need to look at other ways to resolve the problem."

The company said it did not want to close the popular beauty spot but it was necessary because of the number of rats there.

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