Ministers promise action after PFAS petition

Ministers have promised to act on a petition which called for better healthcare for people who were exposed to a chemical used in firefighting foam at Jersey Airport.

Both the environment minister and health minister said all actions used to tackle PFAS in the island's water will be guided by scientific evidence.

In the early 1990s the foam was used on the airport fire training ground and leaked into the neighbouring area and private borehole water supplies.

A spokesperson for Jersey Water said it was committed to playing a key role in implementing solutions to treat PFAS.

More than 1,200 people signed a petition to "clean Jersey's water, build a treatment plant and improve PFAS-related healthcare".

The petition said the island's water was "contaminated with many types of PFAS and nitrates posing risks to health" and called for a new treatment plant.

Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce said the government was "committed to ensuring the safety and quality" of the water supply and protecting public health.

"I am acutely aware of the challenges posed by PFAS contamination and the potential health risks it presents," he said.

Luce said Jersey Water's 2024 report demonstrated 100% compliance with current UK and EU regulatory standards for PFAS.

"We are working towards introducing a specific regulatory requirement for Jersey to meet even stricter standards," he added.

"I recognise the need for advanced treatment solutions to address PFAS contamination."

Luce said models similar to Australia's $30m treatment plant in Katherine were being considered as a solution.

He said Jersey Water had undertaken "significant work" to review options, adding it was "committed" to implementing treatment technology to reduce PFAS and nitrates in the island's water.

"I am confident that when I bring forward a Jersey regulatory standard for PFAS later this year, Jersey Water will be in an advanced position to implement treatment in their two water plants," he said.

A spokesperson for Jersey Water said it was focused on the "critical need" to address the risks posed by PFAS pollution on the island and they were working closely with the government.

They added: "Our focus is on investigating and selecting the right treatment solution for Jersey, based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence, global best practices, and compliance with the future regulatory limits the government sets for the island."

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Tom Binet, said "significant steps" were being taken to address the health impacts of PFAS contamination for all islanders "especially in the island's hotspot around the airport".

Mr Binet said the public health commissioned the independent PFAS scientific advisory panel in 2023 which produced two of three planned reports on the impacts on PFAS on health.

"I am committed to delivering the report's recommendations and report three, which focuses on interventions to lower PFAS levels, blood testing, and re-testing," he added.

The natural environment department will also release a hydrogeological survey report, to understand the impact on the environment.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].