Check what’s lurking in your drinking water?

Saturday 21 November 2015

Islanders with private water supplies are being urged to get their water checked regularly to make sure there’s nothing nasty lurking in it.

Environmental Health want to make sure boreholes and wells are not contaminated with anything that could be harmful, especially to pregnant women.

They’ve written to everyone with a privately registered or licensed water supply advising them to get their water tested by their official Analyst to make sure there's no bacteria, protozoa, pesticides, parasites and viruses or other substances like nitrates floating around.

Deputy Head of Environmental Health Caroline Maffia said: “Many people in Jersey have been accessing drinking water from wells or boreholes for many years without problems.

“However there are risks, and we want to remind householders and landlords that it’s important that they are aware of the origin and quality of the water they are drinking.

“Some groups are at higher risk – for example we advise pregnant women to be especially careful about checking the quality of their drinking water, in the same way that we’d highlight the risks associated with soft cheeses and unpasteurised milk.”

States departments and other agencies are working together to reduce nitrate levels in the Island's water and there will a consultation on the draft water plan in the coming weeks. It's expected to go before the States next Autumn.