Fields treated with sewage sludge revealed

THE locations of fields where sewage sludge has been used as fertiliser have finally been released following an 18-month Freedom of Information row. 

Between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2024, 111 fields in nine parishes had been treated with “biosolids” – a treated product produced from the wastewater treatment at Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works – but the government is keen to reassure Islanders that PFAS contamination in Jersey remains low. 

The locations of the fields were originally withheld. However, following an intervention by the Information Commissioner last month, the government was forced to reveal them. 

Infrastructure Minister Jonathan Renouf said his “preference” would have been to publish the locations of the fields. 

He added: “I know under the previous Council [of Ministers] there were concerns over commercial sensitivities, but for me that is balanced by the public’s right to know what is being spread on the fields where their food is grown.” 

Originally submitted by Paul Le Claire, chairman of Water Awareness Jersey, the FoI revealed that more than 12,000m3 of sewage sludge had been spread on Jersey’s fields in the past five years, and “low levels” of PFAS were found in the applied biosolids. 

However, the locations of those fields were initially deemed exempt from being publicly known because this contained personal information. 

Following a failed appeal against this decision by Mr Le Claire, he contacted Information Commissioner Paul Vane who ruled that there was “a strong and compelling public interest in this matter”.

Deputy Renouf wanted to remind people that just because a field had biosolids spread on them for fertilisation this did not mean they were contaminated with PFAS. 

He said: “I did think it was important to be clear on the question of PFAS before they were published, and I would like to thank the Information Commissioner for revising his decision to make it clear that he made no finding that fields where biosolids have been applied are contaminated. 

“My guiding principle is that we should always follow the scientific evidence. That is why we set up the PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel, and that is why we have engaged in rigorous testing of PFAS levels throughout the Island. 

“This is a situation where there is no ambiguity or room for doubt. We have hard scientific data which shows that these fields are not contaminated.” 

The overarching data shows that there PFAS levels in Jersey remain at low background levels – apart from around the airport and parts of St Ouen’s Bay which was contaminated by historic use of firefighting foam.