PFAS report: 'No immediate risk' but affected 'plume' area larger than originally thought
However, it has confirmed that the extent of affected groundwater near the airport to be larger than previously thought.
This is referred to as the 'plume area' and officers for Infrastructure and Environment are now identifying properties which draw water from boreholes within the newly expanded zone.
Home and landowners of any impacted properties will be contacted directly and provided with individual environmental health advice.
Groundwater is defined as water that lies below the surface while surface water is classed as ponds and streams.
Jersey's Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, says: "PFAS is not just in Jersey, it's everywhere. But we're coming up with scientific, evidence-based solutions to deal with it.
"We commissioned this report to give us a better understanding of where PFAS is and what we can do about it.
"It is a detailed report on a complex matter and its findings deserve proper consideration."
The full 651-page hydrogeological report was published today (1 May) and was compiled by Arcadis - a company which specialises in environmental restoration.
The company visited the island on four occasions between July 2023 and May 2024 to sample a wide range of water.
PFAS levels were checked across the St Ouen's Bay and Upper Pont Marquet - both impacted areas which Jersey Water no longer draws water from.
What is PFAS?
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of chemicals that are resistant to heat, water, oil and grease.
The chemicals are also known as 'forever chemicals' because of their persistence in the environment.
PFAS is used to produce products such as skin creams and cosmetics, car and floor polish, rinse aids for dishwashers, textile and fabric treatments, food packaging and microwave popcorn bags, baking equipment, frying pans, outdoor clothing, waterproof mascara and shoes.
The chemical remains in the body and some studies have linked it to certain types of cancer.
PFAS contaminated several private water supplies in the west of Jersey after leaking from the airport in the 1990s, where it was being used in firefighting foams.
One of the report's key findings states "significant PFAS contamination" remains under the Fire Training Ground at Jersey Airport.
It recommends that Jersey's government continue targeted monitoring to help fill in gaps with data.
Further testing and monitoring will take place over the summer months to monitor the movement of PFAS from and around the airport site.
The Minister will now review the report's findings and produce a full response by 12 June.
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