Jersey Water Backs Tough New PFAS Limit but Warns Major Public Funding Will Be Needed

Jersey Water has voiced support for a proposed legal limit on toxic “forever chemicals” in the Island’s drinking water, while cautioning that substantial taxpayer investment will be required to meet the target.

Steve Luce, the Environment Minister, is asking the States Assembly to amend water legislation so that the combined concentration of four PFAS chemicals does not exceed four nanograms per litre within five years.

According to the utility’s most recent water quality report, current levels of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS stand at 12 ng/l. Meeting the proposed standard would therefore require a reduction of roughly two-thirds by 2031.

PFAS refers to a large group of synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products such as non-stick cookware, flooring materials and firefighting foam because of their resistance to heat, oil and water. Often called “forever chemicals,” they persist in the environment and human body and have been linked to illnesses including kidney cancer, high cholesterol and fertility problems.

Testing of 48 PFAS compounds found eight present at trace levels in Jersey’s drinking water.

Jersey Water said the proposed 4 ng/l threshold would rank among the strictest globally and described it as a precautionary step to safeguard future supplies rather than a response to any immediate safety risk. The company emphasised that mains water currently remains safe to drink.

However, it warned that consistently meeting the new limit would require treatment facilities not yet available on the Island. The utility is exploring options for a new plant and potential reconfiguration of the water network.

Short-term trials using powdered activated carbon are due to begin at the Augrès treatment works, while longer-term pilot projects at Handois will test granular activated carbon and ion-exchange technologies — the only proven methods considered suitable locally.

The company said that once trials conclude, securing government funding, designing infrastructure, obtaining planning approval and building the facilities would take several years.

 “Investing in Jersey 2026–2050”

PFAS treatment has been identified as a long-term priority in the government’s “Investing in Jersey 2026–2050” infrastructure strategy, although no dedicated funding has yet been assigned. Jersey Water has committed £2 million toward pilot studies within its own five-year plan but has not budgeted further funds for full implementation.

Campaign group Water Awareness Jersey responded cautiously to the proposal. Its chair, Paul Le Claire, said the limit appeared to be progress but warned that it was being advanced before the government’s scientific advisers had published their full recommendations.

He also called for a comprehensive island-wide PFAS strategy covering pollution control, monitoring, remediation and public-health protection, and urged authorities to install filtration systems in schools and other public buildings.