The area affected by PFAS contamination from firefighting foam historically used at the Airport is larger than previously believed, a new Government-commissioned report has revealed.

A hydrogeological report from environmental consultancy Arcadis revealed that the so-called “forever chemicals” have spread further west through groundwater than initial research had suggested.

The 651-page report – which cost almost £300,000 – was based on four rounds of water testing between July 2023 and May 2024.

It aimed to document a PFAS “fingerprint” across the St Ouen’s Bay area and Pont Marquet catchment areas. 

The report focused on analysing the environmental legacy of chemicals that seeped into the ground and polluted private water supplies around St Ouen’s Bay, after PFAS-containing firefighting foams were used at the Airport’s fire training ground. 

Arcadis confirmed that groundwater (below the land surface) and surface water (such as ponds and streams) remain contaminated and that PFAS levels appear to spike following heavy rainfall and de-icing activity on runways – evidence that chemicals are still being flushed into the surrounding environment.

“No immediate risk” to health

At a public meeting held shortly after the report’s release on Thursday, the Government sought to reassure islanders that there is “no immediate risk to the health of the broader population”.

While Jersey Water no longer draws from impacted water resources in St Ouen’s Bay and Pont Marquet, the government is now identifying if any further properties are drawing water from boreholes in the updated area.

Officers will make direct contact with the home or landowners of any impacted properties and provide individual environmental health advice over the coming days and weeks.

Held at St Brelade’s Social Club, the meeting featured a technical presentation from Arcadis associate director Jake Hurst.

He outlined the new findings, shared a revised “plume map” that included more sampling sites and a wider range of PFAS compounds, and took questions from attendees. 

“When are we going to see some action?”

The mood in the room was tense and frustrated, with participants clearly concerned and impatient with what they perceived as slow progress and lack of decisive action.

One attendee said: “There’s no action. We keep hearing about recommendations, reports, research… but it’s all waffle. I’m asking: when are we going to see some action?”

The report also set out a series of possible remediation steps – including the targeted disposal of any contaminated soil, introducing treated water into the supply to flush out the PFAS and creating barriers to prevent its physical spread.

It also included a “do nothing” scenario, which suggests it could take until at least 2050 – and as late as 2082 – for PFAS levels to fall to within EU drinking water limits without intervention.

Environment Minister Steve Luce will now review the Arcadis findings and recommendations with a view to developing a remediation strategy.

This will involve setting up a PFAS Steering Group of representatives from Government, Ports of Jersey and Jersey Water. 

Deputy Luce said: “We commissioned this report to give us a better understanding of where PFAS is and what we can do about it.

“It is a detailed report on a complex matter and its findings deserve proper consideration.

“I will carefully review it and respond more fully, with details of how we plan to move forwards, on 12 June.”

“People came to that meeting to engage”

The timing of the report’s release has drawn criticism from campaign group Water Awareness Jersey.

Members condemned the Government’s decision to publish the study online only as the meeting was starting, which prevented attendees from reading the findings in advance or preparing questions.

A spokesperson said: “This is unacceptable. People came to that meeting to engage, to ask questions, and to understand how PFAS contamination is affecting their water, their families, and their future. They were denied that opportunity.”

The group is now calling for a second public meeting, with at least a week’s notice and the report released in advance.

Jersey Water, meanwhile, said it “supports” the findings of the independent report and the need for action to remediate polluted water sources in the area.

In a statement, the utility company said: “Jersey Water’s mains supply is not affected by the hotspot of PFAS contamination and continues to meet all current EU and UK regulatory standards for PFAS.

“While Jersey Water took proactive measures to stop using its borehole in St Ouen’s Bay and a stream at Pont Marquet several years ago, the utility has stressed the need to resolve the contamination so it can once again use these important water sources for the island’s supply.”

The statement continued: “The utility’s focus remains on investigating the most suitable PFAS treatment technologies for drinking water, drawing on the latest scientific evidence, international best practice and the forthcoming water quality regulatory standards that the Government of Jersey is due to adopt for the island.

“Since the contamination was identified in the 1990s, the utility has installed three sections of mains to enable affected properties to connect to mains water.”

The Arcadis report and Government response can be read at: gov.je/PFAS.