There is “no cause for concern” over PFAS levels in the Island’s water supply, the Environment Minister has said – as he lodged proposals to limit the maximum amount of the toxic chemical to a third of its current level.
Deputy Steve Luce is proposing that the Island’s Water Law be updated to make it a legal requirement that the total sum of four types of PFAS does not exceed four nanograms per litre within five years.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used widely in industrial processes and consumer products.
In Jersey, PFOS was an ingredient of firefighting foam sprayed for years at the Airport. High concentrations have been found in water, including boreholes, streams and ponds, around the aerodrome. It has also been found at high levels in people’s blood.
He said: “These regulations mark an important step forward in the management of Jersey’s drinking water, as they introduce statutory standards for PFAS in the water supplied to the public.
Under the Water (Jersey) Law 1972, water quality is assessed against a series of chemical parameters to determine whether it is considered wholesome. The proposed regulations would add PFAS to this list for the first time.
This development follows detailed work by the Independent PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel. The panel has recommended the introduction of a new limit of four nanograms per litre for the combined concentration of four PFAS substances in our public water supply. They have also advised that this standard should be achieved over a five‑year period.”
The current sum of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS, according to the latest water quality report by utility Jersey Water, is 12 ng/l.
Deputy Luce added that Jersey Water will have five years to meet the new requirements.
“The panel was clear that it has recommended this lower limit in order to ‘future-proof’ the Jersey drinking water supply, and that there is no cause for concern over current PFAS levels in the mains water,” he said. “The public water supply meets current EU and UK standards for PFAS levels in drinking water.
“At present, there are no statutory PFAS standards within Jersey’s water legislation. These regulations would therefore establish the first legally binding limit on PFAS levels in the Island’s drinking water.”