Jersey Water Reports Promising Early Results in £2m PFAS Treatment Trials
Jersey Water has reported encouraging early results from trials aimed at reducing levels of PFAS chemicals in the island’s drinking water, although the utility has warned that further research is needed before any firm conclusions can be reached.
The trials are exploring different treatment methods to lower the concentration of PFAS, commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’, ahead of the Government of Jersey’s plans to introduce legally binding limits for the substances in drinking water.
Although Jersey’s drinking water currently complies with UK and EU standards, Jersey Water says it wants to investigate ways of reducing PFAS levels further.
The utility has committed almost £2 million to the research programme, which is scheduled to continue until December 2027. Recommendations on the most suitable treatment options will then be made.
Initial findings have shown that several treatment methods can reduce PFAS concentrations in smaller samples of water. However, chief executive Helier Smith said it was important to monitor the results for at least another year to establish whether the improvements could be maintained.
He explained that water chemistry changes throughout the year due to seasonal conditions and variations in the use of the island’s desalination plants. These factors can influence how effectively different treatment technologies perform.
Mr Smith said a full 12-month assessment would allow the company to examine how the trial systems respond to changing water conditions and provide a clearer picture of their long-term effectiveness.
Jersey Water has also expressed support for tighter PFAS regulations, noting that permitted limits are becoming increasingly stringent internationally.
However, Mr Smith stressed that any new standards introduced in Jersey should be based on scientific evidence and a thorough understanding of the financial and practical implications.
He warned that meeting particularly strict limits could potentially require the construction of an entirely new water treatment facility.
Such a project could cost between £140 million and £210 million, representing a significant investment for the island.
Mr Smith said the utility wanted to explore every available option to reduce PFAS levels in drinking water while ensuring that any chosen solution remained affordable.
The ongoing trials are therefore intended to identify the most effective and economically viable approach before Jersey moves towards introducing its own legal limits.
