Minister responds to PFAS report recommendations

Jersey's environment minister said he had taken "quick action to respond to recommendations" from an independent report into ground water supplies contaminated by potential harmful chemicals, called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The report by Arcadis consulting published in May found a bigger area of ground water in Jersey was affected by PFAS than previously thought.

Deputy Steve Luce wrote in a government response to the report that he "fully accepted the majority of the report's recommendations".

The minister will hold a public meeting next week to discuss his response to the report.

One of the actions he has taken is establishing a "hydrogeological PFAS steering group, bringing together officers from Government of Jersey, Ports of Jersey and Jersey Water".

Luce said: "The group will play a central role in ensuring that remediation efforts are proportionate, technically feasible and focused on reducing environmental and public health risks."

The minister added further testing of water, soil and outfalls is underway to address gaps in knowledge, and additional monitoring will take place this summer to track the movement of PFAS from and around the airport site.

In its response to the Arcadis consulting report, the government outlined how they had identified 16 properties "in the plume area".

It said: "All residential addresses and business addresses within this area, which have a borehole ed for drinking or which are not connected to the mains water supply have been ed by officers.

"Testing of impacted borehole water is being arranged as necessary, and advice on the use of water on an individual basis is being provided."

Jersey Water and Ports of Jersey also contributed to the government response to the report.

Ports of Jersey CEO, Matt Thomas sent the BBC a statement which said: "We are now playing an active role in the steering group established by government to develop a remediation strategy, which will determine which actions to take based on the recommendations of the report.

"As this strategy is developed, we will be guided by a sense of duty to the environment and the health of affected islanders."

Jersey Water said its policy was that affected water sources like the Port Marquet stream and St Ouen's boreholes would only be used once the contamination had been resolved.

It added: "If the island faces a serious drought, these supplies may be needed but would only be used in conjunction with desalination plant to provide a dilution effect, ensuring that Jersey water continues to supply safe drink water."

Luce said he wanted to "reassure Islanders" there was "no immediate risk to public health."

He said: "Our public water supply continues to meet EU and UK standards for PFAS levels, and Jersey Water has already taken steps to avoid drawing from impacted sources.

"Properties previously affected by borehole contamination have been offered connections to the main supply to prevent further exposure."