AN independent report looking into the extent of PFAS contamination in St Ouen’s Bay is due to be presented tonight at a public meeting.
Held at St Brelade’s Social Club, the meeting is due to provide updates on ongoing investigations into the contamination of so-called “forever chemicals” linked to elevated cholesterol and kidney and testicular cancers.
While Jersey Water has maintained that mains water contains only trace amounts of PFAS, and that the company is fully compliant with EU and UK regulations, higher concentrations of the chemical have been found in areas below the Airport runway.
The primary source of contamination in these areas was PFAS-containing firefighting foam used for years at the Airport, which seeped into the ground and polluted private water supplies around St Ouen’s Bay.
In 2022, 78 Islanders who lived in the affected area had their blood tested and every one of them was found to have PFAS in their blood.
A “hydrogeological survey report” about the extent of the contamination and possible solutions, carried out by independent environmental consultancy Arcadis, will be presented at the meeting.
The report will go live on the government website at 5pm ahead of a presentation at 6pm.
Representatives from Arcadis will outline their findings and take questions from attendees.
An initial government response will also be presented by Group Director for Regulation Kelly Whitehead.
The meeting is open to all members of the public and will be held at St Brelade’s Social Club on La Route des Quennevais.
