JERSEY Water is moving ahead with plans to develop new treatment solutions to remove all traces of PFAS from the Island’s water supply – after independent scientific advisors called for stricter limits on the amount of the chemicals in the mains network.
The PFAS scientific advisory panel – which has emphasised there is no immediate risk to public health – said that Jersey should adopt a stricter regulatory limit for PFAS in its mains drinking water within the next five years to help “future-proof” the Island’s water supply.
Panel members Steve Hajioff, Ian Cousins and Tony Fletcher presented their fourth report into the findings at a public meeting yesterday at St Brelade’s Parish Hall.
The report focused on PFAS contamination in mains water and recommended that the Island’s water supply be brought in line with a proposed new limit of 4ng/L (nanograms per litre) for four key PFAS compounds.
According to Jersey Water, the amount of those four PFAS compounds in Jersey’s drinking water last year was 13ng/L.
This means Jersey will have to decrease the level of those compounds to less than a third of its current amount – from 13ng/L to 4ng/L – in the next five years to bring it into line with the tighter standards recommended by the panel.
Jersey Water’s head of water quality Jeanette Sheldon told the JEP that one of these four compounds – known as PFNA – is actually not present at all in Jersey’s water supply.
The other three key PFAS compounds that are present are called PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS.
Ms Sheldon explained: “We anticipated that the independent PFAS panel would recommend a new, lower regulatory limit for PFAS in mains drinking water, in line with updated international standards, to ensure that the Island’s supply remains safe for the future.
“The panel is clear that it is a long-term precautionary measure, and Islanders can be confident in the quality of their current drinking water supply.
“We support the move towards a clear water quality standard for Jersey and the recognition that this will require investment in future-proofed treatment technologies and infrastructure over several years.
“While the Government considers the appropriate regulation for the Island, we will progress the selection and feasibility for both long-term and interim treatment solutions to keep water safe for our customers.”
Dr Steve Hajioff, chair of the PFAS scientific advisory panel, said: “PFAS levels in drinking water are already lower in Jersey than in many places around the world, including London and other parts of the UK.
“We have recommended a level of 4ng/L in order to future-proof the Jersey drinking water supply.
“It will take time to bring Jersey water supply in line with our recommended new standard, and there is no cause for concern in the interim.”
The panel also recommended the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) or ion-exchange resins (IEX) as the most effective treatment technologies currently available for removing PFAS from water supplies.
GAC is a process whereby water gravitates through a bed of porous carbon granules, which adsorb and remove contaminants.
IEX is a process whereby water is contacted with synthetic resin beads, which selectively remove certain types of contaminants based on their ionic charge.
The Government will now study the panel’s recommendations before responding.
Environment Minister Steve Luce has already committed to introducing new PFAS regulations before the end of the year, while the governemnt has this week set out plans to invest in treatment technologies and expand the Island’s water network.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham confirmed Jersey Water would lead on PFAS treatment solutions and that funding could be delivered through the government’s new capital investment fund, either as a direct investment or loan to Jersey Water.
Jersey Water CEO Helier Smith described the commitment to invest in long-term water infrastructure as a “positive step.”
But campaigners say the Government’s plans do not go far or fast enough.
Water Awareness Jersey chair Paul Le Claire criticised the lack of detail around technology, standards, and timelines – and said Jersey was lagging far behind other jurisdictions.
“Jersey’s PFAS treatment pledge is far too late and dangerously vague,” he said.
“While other countries have had treatment infrastructure in place for years, our so-called ‘world leaders’ are aiming for 2033 – and spending millions – just to continue delivering water they claim is already ‘safe’.”
St Ouen’s Bay resident Sarah Simon – who has long campaigned for the Government to take action on PFAS – said the lack of effective removal systems has allowed the chemical to build up in residents’ bodies.
“Jersey residents are experiencing daily bioaccumulation of PFAS through their drinking water, making timely intervention critically urgent,” she said.
“The removal of PFAS from Island wide water sources is fundamental to the long-term health of Islanders as these forever chemicals are persistent in mains water due to lack of remediation.”
