MINISTERS and utility bosses were grilled by Islanders this week over the government’s handling of PFAS contamination during a heated public meeting in St Brelade’s Parish Hall.
The session, attended by around 40 people – including former Chief Minister John Le Fondré – followed the publication of a new Arcadis report last month confirming that the plume of PFAS pollution has spread further west than previously thought.
The contamination now affects 343 properties across St Ouen’s Bay and Pont Marquet.
Wednesday night’s meeting was arranged to explain the joint response of government, Jersey Water, and Ports of Jersey – with a panel featuring Health Minister Tom Binet, Environment Minister Steve Luce, Jersey Water CEO Helier Smith, Ports of Jersey CEO Matt Thomas, and Public Health Director Peter Bradley.
The event was chaired by Kelly Whitehead, the government’s group director for regulation.
But as with previous meetings on the issue, anger and anxiety dominated the discussion, with an aggrieved audience made up mostly of those who live or lived in contaminated areas.
Several audience members shouted and pointed at government representatives, particularly over the previous administration’s handling of the long-standing contamination linked to historic use of firefighting foam at the Airport’s fire training ground.
One Islander – who lives in the contamination zone – called the situation “tragic” and said “no action” had been taken for more than 20 years.
Discrepancies also surfaced about whether all affected households and landowners had been contacted for water testing.
Others voiced concern over the independence of Arcadis, the Government’s commissioned consultant, and linked the chemical exposure to health concerns in their families and neighbourhoods.
Deputy Luce defended the government’s approach, telling the crowd: “We are working as fast as we can” in coordination with Jersey Water and Ports of Jersey to study and plan to remediate the issue.
He also expressed hope that St Ouen’s Bay and Pont Marquet could once again supply drinking water in future – but only if PFAS concentrations can be reduced.
“We need that water,” the minister said, explaining that current PFAS levels exceed both UK and EU drinking water standards.
Deputy Luce told the passionate crowd that the joint steering group “is going to be the quickest way to solve the problem”.
“It’s not about tearing each other apart, going to court, or fighting over who’s responsible,” he said.
“Working together is the way to do it.”
Meanwhile, the Health Minister confirmed that £800,000 has been allocated by the government this year to fund ongoing testing and mitigation efforts – including further blood and water testing for properties not connected to mains supply.
The next phase of the investigation is expected in August, when Arcadis will release a report focused on drinking water contamination. A follow-up study into the presence of PFAS in soil, food, and waste is due in December.
Despite reassurances, the meeting made clear that concern among Islanders remains deep-rooted.
The next public update will take place online on Thursday 26 June with the PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel.
Islanders can view the full Arcadis report and Government response at gov.je/PFAS.
