Closed petition Install PFAS-removal water and air filters in schools and public buildings

Ministers responded

This response was given on 24 July 2026

Jersey’s mains water is safe, with PFAS levels below UK/EU guidelines. As schools and public buildings use the same monitored supply, PFAS air or water filtration is not considered necessary.

Jersey Water undertakes routine sampling and testing across the public water supply network to ensure the continued safety of the Island’s drinking water supply. The levels of PFAS recorded in mains water do not necessitate additional treatment in schools or public buildings. Any further treatment should be considered only where there is clear evidence of need, likely benefit and a proportionate use of public resources, none of which are currently demonstrated.

There would also be practical, environmental and financial implications from installing treatment systems across the school estate and wider public buildings. Reverse osmosis treatment can remove trace levels of PFAS, but it can also reject a significant proportion of water to drain as part of the process, which would represent a substantial waste of a valuable resource on a water-stressed island. Additional issues, including remineralisation of treated water, waste streams, capital costs and increased power requirements, would also need to be considered.

The petition also refers to air filtration. While PFAS can be present in indoor dust and air there is currently no recommendation or recognised standard that would support a requirement for such systems in schools and public buildings.

Any filtration system, whether for water or air, would require appropriate installation, ongoing monitoring, maintenance and periodic replacement to ensure continued performance. Responsibility for operating and maintaining such systems would rest with individual premises, including schools and public buildings, creating additional compliance and assurance requirements. The cost-benefit case for a blanket installation programme has not been demonstrated.

The Government will continue to maintain comprehensive monitoring of the public water supply, consider further measures where evidence demonstrates they may be necessary, effective and proportionate, and, if necessary, bring forward proposals that strengthen and build on the robust drinking water standards Jersey already adheres to.