Lower regulatory limit for PFAS should be set for Jersey, report says

The Government has been told it should set a new, lower regulatory limit for PFAS levels in mains drinking water in Jersey.

A PFAS scientific panel has published a draft interim report on mains water.

It is the first part of work for the PFAS scientific advisory panel’s Report Four.

The report has found that Jersey Water’s public water supply currently meets both UK and EU regulatory standards.

But, they recommend setting a new, lower combined limit for four key types of PFAS of 4ng/L. 

The chair of the panel says that whilst PFAS levels in drinking water are already lower here than in London and other parts of the UK, lowering the limit would future-proof our drinking water supply.

Dr Steve Hajioff, says:

“We have recommended a level of 4ng/L in order to future-proof the Jersey drinking water supply. It will take time to bring Jersey water supply in line with our recommended new standard.

"There is no cause for concern in the interim."

It says the mains water supply should reach the proposed new limit within five years, and there is no cause for concern in the interim.”

The Government of Jersey will now study the panel’s recommendations before responding.

The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, says:

“I want to thank the scientific panel for this detailed and helpful report. I will consider their findings and recommendations in detail so we can respond appropriately.”

In May, a report by Arcadis found that PFAS contamination was wider than was thought.

The Environment Minister said he fully accepted the majority of recommendations in the report.

A petition was launched by islanders demanding more independent scrutiny.

READ: Govt responds to PFAS survey as campaigners launch petition

At the time, the government gave a list of key actions that were in progress:

• A steering group has been set up which brings together the Government, Ports of Jersey, and Jersey Water to develop a coordinated remediation strategy that includes immediate, medium-, and long-term options

• Further testing of water, soil, and outfalls is underway to address gaps in knowledge

• Additional monitoring will take place in summer to track the movement of PFAS from and around the airport site

• Officers have identified properties drawing water from boreholes within the updated plume area and are providing direct environmental health advice and support to affected households. Testing of private supplies is already taking place

• Arcadis has also been asked to present its findings to the Independent PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel and support them with their (now underway) report on PFAS in the Environment (Report 4).

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of over 12,000 man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in everyday products. 

They used to be found in airport firefighting foam during the 1990s.  They don't break down easily, and some types of PFAs have been linked to health risks.