JEP EXCLUSIVE
A ST PETER parishioner has said she is “prepared to go to prison” after being threatened by lawyers for refusing to pay her water bills in a PFAS-related protest.
PFAS is a collective name for thousands of man-made carbon chains that were added to everyday items such as floor tiles, frying pans and firefighting foam, due to their ability to repel heat, oil and water.
However, dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ due to their inability to break down in the environment or human body, they have been linked to several health conditions, including kidney cancer, high cholesterol and infertility.
Of 48 PFAS compounds tested by Jersey Water, eight are present at trace levels in drinking water. They are within the limits designated as “safe” for water quality regulation in the UK – however, a new legal standard is being proposed by the Environment Minister and is due to be debated next week.
However, Emma Ward, who lives St Peter’s Village, told the JEP that she is unhappy with the current limits and has not paid a £245.47 water bill in protest.
In her view, “‘within regulations’ does not mean ‘safe'”.
She told the JEP that she was one of a “group” doing the same thing and that none were “refusing” payment, but “withholding” it until such time as Jersey Water provides a product they believe to be “wholesome”.
“It’s not about the finances, it’s always the principle for me,” she said.
The definition of “wholesome water” is set out in the Water (Jersey) Law 1972. 40 substances are regulated including E. coli bacteria, sodium, nickel and arsenic.
The Minister plans to add per- and polyfluoralkyl substances, or PFAS, to this list.
Ms Ward explained that she previously bought bottled water to avoid the mains supply, but had since sold some belongings to pay for a costly reverse osmosis filter.
She still needs to use the supply for basic needs, however. She said she had offered to pay a standing charge to cover that, but the offer was refused.
In a letter seen by the JEP, a lawyer acting for Jersey Water threatened to take Ms Ward to Petty Debts Court, arguing that the water was within the legal definition of “wholesome”, and that she continued to use water.
“You have used, and continue to use, the water supplied to your premises, which you are under a contractual obligation to pay Jersey Water for, nevertheless you have withheld, and continue to withhold, payment of the balance on your account,” he said.
The letter outlined attempts from Jersey Water to engage with Ms Ward, including letters asking her to pay the bills and an invitation to a meeting. She did not attend.
If she had not paid her bill by 30 January, they said, Jersey Water would take Ms Ward to the Petty Debts Court – risking her the cost of not just water, but also interest and legal costs. She had not heard back from them when she spoke to the JEP.
“For me, I’m prepared to go to prison for this,” Ms Ward said. “I will be a political prisoner, I will be a debtor. Because if people don’t stand up at this tiny, little stage, we’re just being trampled over.”
A Jersey Water spokesperson commented: “It would not be appropriate for us to discuss any individual customer cases.
“All customers enter into an agreement with us when they set up their account and this includes a contractual obligation to pay for the water they use. If they do not, it constitutes a breach of contract.
“The water we supply meets all regulatory requirements under the Water Law (Jersey) 1972 (as amended) and aligns with UK guidance and EU standards for water quality. Our most recent results from nearly 13,000 tests showed 100% compliance with Jersey’s water quality regulations and further supports our consistent record for meeting rigorous water quality standards. There are therefore no grounds for a customer to withhold payment for the water they use.
“We always invite customers to contact us if they have any concerns about the quality of their water and we remain committed to providing safe, clean drinking water for the Island, today and every day.”
