Govt responds to PFAS survey as campaigners launch petition

Jersey's government has responded to findings that PFAS contamination is wider than thought, just as campaigners are demanding more independent scrutiny.

The Environment Minister says he has fully accepted the majority of recommendations in a report that showed a wider area of the west of the island is affected by PFAS contamination than had been thought.

Environmental consultants Arcadis found the so-called 'forever chemicals' in water catchments around St Ouen's Bay and Pont Marquet.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of over 12,000 man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in everyday products. 

They used to be found in airport firefighting foam during the 1990s.  They don't break down easily, and some types of PFAs have been linked to health risks.

Deputy Steve Luce says he has begun implementing key actions already - including more testing and monitoring.

"I have fully accepted the majority of the report’s recommendations and decisive action is already underway. If necessary, I am prepared to use regulatory powers to ensure progress is made at the pace we need to protect our environment and public health. "

He says there is no immediate risk to public health, and public drinking water supplies continue to meet EU and UK standards.

"Jersey Water has already taken steps to avoid drawing from impacted sources.”

 Environment Minister Steve Luce

Key actions the government says are in progress:

• A steering group has been set up which brings together the Government, Ports of Jersey, and Jersey Water to develop a coordinated remediation strategy that includes immediate, medium-, and long-term options

• Further testing of water, soil, and outfalls is underway to address gaps in knowledge

• Additional monitoring will take place this summer to track the movement of PFAS from and around the airport site

• Officers have identified properties drawing water from boreholes within the updated plume area and are providing direct environmental health advice and support to affected households. Testing of private supplies is already taking place

• Arcadis has also been asked to present its findings to the Independent PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel and support them with their upcoming report on PFAS in the Environment (Report 4).

The Environment Minister will host a public meeting at 6pm on Wednesday 18 June at St Brelade's Parish Hall to answer people's questions.

The government's response to the Arcadis report comes just as campaigners have launched a petition demanding a Royal Commission into how Jersey's government has handled the PFAS water contamination.

They say there needs to be independent scrutiny of the history and health impacts of groundwater pollution near the airport.

They want public hearings and the forced disclosure of documents.

Former senator Paul Le Claire said: "We now know that the government has long been aware of PFAS pollution in boreholes, agricultural land, seafood, and drinking water. Yet the public has not been told the full story. This is no longer a technical debate. It is a matter of truth, transparency, and trust in public institutions."

The campaigners also want answers about a reported confidential legal settlement between the government and the chemical manufacturer 3M.

Debbie Thorne from Water Awareness Jersey said:

We believe Islanders have a right to know whether a deal was made that puts corporate confidentiality above public health. If there is a clause in the 3M agreement requiring government to notify the company when people bring claims, that’s not just a legal issue — it’s a moral one. Islanders deserve protection, not silence.”

The petition needs a 1,000 signatures to get a response from Ministers, and 5,000 to bring a potential States debate.