Government ordered to disclose PFAS 'contaminated' fields after 'battle' for locations

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 06:30

After the government refused to disclose the fields where PFAS-containing solids were spread, a freedom of information appeal has been upheld, meaning they must now do so.

Biosolids are treated sewage sludge produced through Jersey’s wastewater-treatment process and are used on land as fertiliser.

Water Awareness Jersey has said government records show that PFAS/PFOS had been detected in the material.

Debbie Thorne, who founded Water Awareness Jersey, says it's been an 18-month battle to get the locations, with the Government refusing:

"We had various appeals and various correspondence back and forth, but it's taken the Island Commissioner to step in. Infrastructure and environment have not been at all forthcoming.

"For the past 25 years there has been incredible secrecy about PFAS.

"It's very important for us to know, and we have the right to know, the location of all PFAS contamination island-wide."

The Commissioner fully upheld the appeal and found a 'strong and compelling public interest' in disclosure, specifically referring to 'the significance of the issues relating to PFAS/PFOS, including health consequences' and circumstances in which 'there is potential for those chemicals to enter the food chain'.

The government has until 5 pm on 23 September to disclose the field locations.

In December last year, Jersey-grown food was tested for PFAS levels for the first time.

Read: Jersey-grown food tested for PFAS levels

The results of the testing programme revealed that many samples were below detectable levels completely, and the 'overwhelming majority' of food samples were found to have PFAS levels 'well below' EU maximum levels.

The panel says the PFAS in people's bodies now are more likely to be linked to past exposure.

They also tested soil from several places across the island and found that PFAS levels are at or near 'background level', aside from the known plume area in west/St Ouen's Bay linked to the historical use of firefighting foam at the airport.

Channel 103 has been told that the Minister for Infrastructure and Environment is not currently available for comment.

*A follow up to this story was published on 24 September 2024. The Information Commissioner revised the wording of his decision notice to remove the term 'contaminated'. The Minister said testing has shown there is no PFAS contamination of the soil.