Tighter PFAS limits in Jersey tap water needed, report says

Tighter limits are needed on levels of “forever chemicals” in Jersey’s drinking water, a report says.

The report by the island’s PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel focused on the environmental impact of such pollutants, known as PFAS, on things such as water, food, waste and soil.

It found drinking water levels above four nanograms per litre should be considered too high, resulting in instant and “enforceable action”. It said the current UK guidance of 10 nanograms per litre used by Jersey Water was impractical and there should be a specific and local definition.

Jersey Water said local water was “safe to drink”, and it welcomed “the clear direction that Jersey needs a framework for managing PFAS”.

In high doses, PFAS has been linked to serious health concerns, including cancer and fertility issues.

The report, the fourth and final such publication, said: “In practice, Jersey Water has followed UK Drinking Water Inspectorate guidance, including an aspirational reference level of 10 ng/L for the sum of 48 PFAS, but this does not function as an enforceable Jersey standard and exceedances above 10 ng/L are described as common.

“A separate conclusion was that any drinking-water standard must be set within the realities of analytical quantification and treatment feasibility, while still providing meaningful health protection.”