Rhys Thomas

Stricter PFAS limits recommended for Jersey’s drinking water could require major investment and significantly increase household bills, with Jersey Water estimating a new treatment plant might cost up to £210 million. The PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel concluded that the utility had followed UK standards but urged a lower contamination threshold. Government ministers are assessing the report as scrutiny officials and campaigners call for clearer plans balancing public health and financial impact. Experts dispute the high cost estimate, suggesting cheaper retrofitting options could meet requirements, with the government expected to respond later in the year.

Jersey’s independent PFAS panel recommended stricter limits on PFAS in drinking water, prompting concerns over costs and potential bill increases. Jersey Water said a new treatment plant could cost up to £210m and significantly raise customer bills, while the panel suggested less expensive retrofitting options. Ministers are assessing the findings, with debate continuing over how to balance public health risks, financial impact, and responsibility for historic contamination from firefighting foam used in the 1990s.

Safety concerns over Jersey’s Victoria Marine Lake intensified after a child was pulled through an open sluice gate, prompting calls for full restoration of the deteriorating seawater pool. Infrastructure Minister Jonathan Renouf said temporary safety measures were in place but long-term repairs remained unresolved. St Helier Constable Inna Gardiner and campaigners pressed the government to clarify repair costs after previous funding proposals were rejected. Residents and advocates emphasised the pool’s historic value and potential future use if made safe.

Heatwaves exposed a lack of air conditioning across Jersey’s health and education facilities, with patients, staff and students facing difficult conditions. Complaints centred on the Enid Quenault Health Centre, where its conversion from a former school limits cooling options. The health minister said new facilities will resolve the issues, while the education minister prioritised developing a coordinated plan for managing excessive heat in schools. Officials highlighted ageing infrastructure as a major obstacle and called for long-term adaptation measures.

Concerns were raised about inadequate air conditioning in Jersey’s health and education facilities during recent heatwaves, with patients and staff at the Enid Quenault Health Centre struggling in high temperatures. Health Minister Tom Binet cited structural limitations but said new facilities would resolve the issue. Similar challenges affected schools, prompting calls from the National Education Union for improved ventilation and a coordinated response. Education Minister Catherine Curtis prioritised addressing heat in schools, while infrastructure officials emphasised the need to adapt older buildings to a changing climate.