Jersey Water Declares Island’s Drinking Water Quality “Among Best in the World”

Jersey Water has stated that recent water quality test outcomes indicate the island’s drinking water “remains among the best in the world”. The company’s leadership reported that in 2024, thousands of samples were collected from its treatment facilities, service reservoirs, and consumer taps. They confirmed that the drinking water continues to be “fully compliant with Jersey, UK and EU regulations for PFAS, pesticides and nitrates”. Helier Smith, the chief executive of Jersey Water, commented: “We openly publish our results on an annual basis so that islanders can be assured that our drinking water not only complies with but is below the regulatory limits for more than 100 different chemical and bacterial parameters, as well as 450 pesticides.” Jersey Water further stated: “People in Jersey can be assured that their drinking water remains among the best in the world according to water quality results…” The utility also mentioned that it “ensured that the trace levels of PFAS concentrations found in mains water are 68% lower than the UK and EU regulatory limits”. Jeanette Sheldon, Head of Water Quality at Jersey Water, commented: “We share the public’s concerns about PFAS, and in particular the impact on those islanders whose private water supplies were contaminated by airport firefighting foam.” She added: “In the last five years, we have increased our PFAS testing by 75% and commissioned 16,656 tests in 2024 alone, demonstrating our commitment to understanding and managing these chemicals. “Currently, PFAS levels in the island’s drinking water are equivalent to approximately one-and-a-half teaspoons of sugar in 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools, which is well below the regulatory standards adopted for Jersey.””