02-07-2025
People who drink tap water warned as 'dangerous' substance found
People who drink tap water warned as 'dangerous' substance found
The warning comes as 60,000 people have been told they can't drink tap water for the rest of the year - and the warning is about to spread across Europe
60,000 residents of Alsace, eastern France, have been told by the local government that it had found dangerously high levels of PFAs
A French region has issued a tap water ban, sparking concerns that it could serve as a "warning" for the rest of Europe. The local government in Alsace, eastern France, has alerted its 60,000 residents about dangerously high levels of PFAs – also known as 'forever chemicals' – detected in the water supply.
Those considered to be in high-risk groups – including children under two, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women – have been advised to avoid consuming tap water for the remainder of the year.
One local resident expressed their fears to the Guardian: "I find it scary. Even if we stop drinking it we will be exposed to it and we can't really do anything." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Séverine Maistre, a resident of Saint-Louis who previously worked in clinical drug trials, believes this is just the beginning. "Currently we are talking about peaks here and there ... [But the chemicals] will be everywhere in France."
"It will be the same in Germany, in Switzerland, in the UK, and everywhere."
A 70 year old woman added: "Even if we are not fragile we are scared. We are terrorised – this is about water, without which we cannot live."
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The Euro-Airport Basel-Mulhouse has been identified as the source of the significant increase in PFAs levels.
According to a press release, the airport used firefighting foam treated with PFAS chemicals until 2017, Birmingham Live reports.
These Icao (International Civil Aviation Organisation) certified firefighting foams were legally required until 2017.
Since January 2017, the airport has ceased using foams containing PFAS.
Thierry Litzler, vice-president of Saint-Louis urban area with responsibility for water in the district, said: "Things went quickly from the moment we had the information."
He commented: "To know why a state service did do – or did not do – more than eight years ago, for me, it's not the subject of the moment ... I do not have the right to judge it today.
"In France, we had faith in water – but that's broken," expressed Bruno Wollenschneider, head of Adra (Association de Défense des Riverains de l'Aéroport de Bâle Mulhouse), a residents' association with 200 members.
"Authorities lied to us, they tricked us," he declared, adding: "The airport is responsible.
"Water is a public good. The last thing is the law to force the authorities to act and make the airport pay – we don't have the choice.
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"It is the first time in France where a commercial airport is known to be the cause of pollution. There are likely others," Wollenschneider revealed.
