Report Recommends Stricter PFAS Limits in Jersey

Experts Call for Stricter PFAS Limits in Jersey's Drinking Water

Island’s water quality meets current standards – but experts urge future-proofing with tighter controls

A scientific panel advising on PFAS contamination has recommended that Jersey adopt a stricter limit for PFAS levels in its mains drinking water – despite the island’s supply currently meeting all UK and EU regulations.

In a draft interim report published as part of the panel’s ongoing work (Report Four), the group proposed a combined limit of just 4 nanograms per litre (ng/L) for four key types of PFAS – a significant tightening of existing standards.

The advisory panel, led by Dr Steve Hajioff, noted that Jersey’s PFAS levels are already lower than those recorded in London and many other areas of the UK. However, he stressed the importance of acting now to safeguard water quality for the future.

“We have recommended a level of 4ng/L in order to future-proof the Jersey drinking water supply,” said Dr Hajioff. “There is no cause for concern in the interim, but it will take time to bring the supply in line with this new proposed standard.”

The panel suggests Jersey Water should aim to meet the new threshold within five years. In the meantime, no immediate health risks have been identified.

Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce welcomed the report, saying he would take time to fully assess the recommendations.

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

Growing Concerns About PFAS Contamination

This latest development follows a report by environmental consultants Arcadis in May, which revealed that the extent of PFAS pollution in Jersey was greater than previously understood. In response, the Government of Jersey accepted most of the report’s recommendations and outlined a series of key actions now underway, including:

• The creation of a steering group bringing together the Government, Ports of Jersey, and Jersey Water to develop a coordinated remediation strategy.

• Expanded testing of soil, water, and outfalls to fill current knowledge gaps.

• Additional monitoring over the summer to track PFAS movement from the airport area – historically a known source of contamination due to firefighting foam used in the 1990s.

• Identification and support for households relying on private boreholes within the updated PFAS plume area, including environmental health advice and water testing.

• Further engagement with the Independent PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel, with Arcadis invited to present their findings directly to support the panel’s broader environmental review.

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What Are PFAS?

PFAS – short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a group of more than 12,000 human-made chemicals used since the 1940s in a range of consumer products for their water- and stain-resistant properties. Their resilience in the environment has earned them the nickname “forever chemicals,” and certain types have been linked to potential health risks.

Recent public concern over PFAS has also prompted grassroots action. Islanders have launched a petition calling for increased independent oversight of PFAS-related issues.

The Government has said it will respond more fully to the scientific panel’s recommendations once it has completed a thorough review of the draft report.