'Forever chemical' test of borehole water declined

There are no plans to do further tests for "forever chemicals" in borehole water in part of Jersey, the environment minister has said.

Deputy Steve Luce was confident the group of chemicals, known as PFAS, were at safe levels in borehole supplies at La Pulent.

He had been asked by politicians in the States Assembly about recent tests by Jersey Water which suggested borehole water in La Pulente has the same "signature" as water in a plume area near Jersey Airport.

PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they are so hard to break down and some researchers have linked PFAS to serious health conditions including cancer.

Foam containing PFAS was used on a fire training ground at the island's airport in the 1990s, which leaked into nearby private borehole water supplies.

The island's government set up a scientific panel in 2023 to advise on the toxic chemicals, following years of campaigning by residents who said their health had suffered.

In 2025 a report recommended residents who were exposed to the chemicals should be offered blood treatment.

A plume is identified by the government as an area where PFAS ground water contamination is above 100 nanograms per litre.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf told the States residents had their water tested by Jersey Water.

"It was determined that the signature of the water had the same signature as the plume, suggesting that the water was contaminated in same way as main plume area," he said.

The minister responded: "What I can say is that PFAS levels in drinking water in that area are below the drinking water inspectorate guidelines."

Deputy Montford Tadier, who also spoke in the debate, said there was a discrepancy between what the minister and residents were saying.

"Constituents believe that it has been unequivocally confirmed that their boreholes contain the signature firefighting foam from the airport," he said.

Renouf asked whether the minister would commit to testing the site to "settle this matter once and for all".

The minister said it was difficult to commit to a "very expensive test of water" where PFAS levels where not above the guidelines.

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