JERSEY’S drinking water is 100% complaint with quality regulations, according to the utility which provides mains water to around 40,000 homes and 3,600 businesses.
Publishing its Water Quality Report for 2025 today, Jersey Water said the Islanders could have full confidence in its essential product.
The report was based on more than 12,900 tests taken between 1 October 2024 and the end of this September from streams, reservoirs, treatment works and customers’ taps.
The utility tested for more than 100 different chemicals, bacteria and pathogens, as well as more than 450 chemicals, including those known as ‘forever chemicals’ or PFAS.
It said: “In light of the levels of misinformation about water quality and consequent public concern, Jersey Water’s latest report should reassure customers that the Island’s water supply continues to meet and often exceeds stringent regulation.”
Chief Executive Helier Smith added: “Our priority is and always will be to supply water that is safe, clean and reliable. Over the past decade, we have maintained high levels of water quality, and this year was no exception, with nearly 13,000 tests confirming 100% compliance with regulatory standards. Islanders can therefore have confidence in the quality of their water supply.”
When it comes to PFAS – which has been linked to causing cancer, liver disease and other illnesses – there are trace levels in mains drinking water.
There was an average of 31 nanograms per litre for the sum of 48 compounds that Jersey Water test, and 12 nanograms per litre for four specific PFAS compounds, including PFOS, which was an ingredient of firefighting foam sprayed at the Airport.
Scientists advising the Government have recommended that the accepted limit for these four compounds should be 4 ng/litre within the next five years – something Jersey Water has committed to do.
Jeanette Sheldon, the utility’s Head of Water Quality, said: “The independent panel of international experts looking at PFAS across Jersey has stated that ‘there is no cause for concern’ with the current supply of mains drinking water and that recommendations for the Government to adopt specific water quality regulations for PFAS are ‘precautionary’.
“We support steps to introduce a new limit and, in the meantime, will continue our work to trial treatment solutions so that we maintain high levels of water quality both now and into the future.”
The report added: “To make sure that we are ready to meet any new regulatory standard, this year we carried out a detailed research project to assess ten different options for addressing PFAS in drinking water.
“Having identified two solutions as potentially suitable for Jersey, namely activated carbon and/or ion exchange, we will soon be undertaking pilot trials. The results over the next 12 to 18 months will help us determine the feasibility, investment needed and ongoing operational costs for introducing any required treatment. We welcome the Government’s provision for PFAS in its Investing in Jersey Fund.”
It added: “While water treatment and environmental remediation are essential, tackling pollution at its source is equally critical. Manufacturers have a key role to play in exploring alternative substances for their products so they do not pose environmental risks.
“At the same time, as consumers, we all need to be more conscious of what our everyday products contain, and the long-term impact they may create. Where there are opportunities to reduce or replace non-essential products that use these substances, we should be taking them, so that we protect the environment and our water resources for the long term.”
