Tap Water Utilization for Susceptible Individuals in 11 Upper Rhine Townships
Headline: "PFAS Pollution Prompts Tap Water Ban for Sensitive Residents in Saint-Louis, Alsace"
Subhead: "No drinking tap water for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, young children, and immunocompromised individuals due to PFAS contamination over 11 communes. The ban comes into effect May 5th, 2023."
Addressing an alarming concern, the Haut-Rhin Prefecture has set a restriction on tap water consumption for select vulnerable individuals starting May 5th, 2023. This precautionary measure is imposed across 11 communes of the Saint-Louis urban area, adjacent to Basel, in response to the presence of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the drinking water.
These perennial pollutants, known for potential detrimental health effects, have repeatedly surpassed regulatory limits in the area. For approximately 3,000 residents, this means pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children under two years old, and immunocompromised individuals, the temporary tap water ban represents a significant hurdle - roughly 5% of the Saint-Louis urban community.
The root cause of this contamination can be traced back to firefighting foams containing PFAS, historically utilized near Basel-Mulhouse Airport. Reports suggest that the airport is the primary culprit for the persistent pollution due to years of such foam use.
As of now, the restriction will remain in force at least till the end of this year, coinciding with the projected timeframe for decontamination work estimated at 20 million euros. Mobile filtration units will be deployed in the short term, while three filtration plants will be constructed as part of the medium to long-term plan.
Amidst these circumstances, the water budget in the urban area stands at 4 million euros. However, the urgency of the situation necessitates external support. Jean-Marc Deichtmann, the president of the Saint-Louis urban area, has expressed the need for assistance, with potential funding from EuroAirport under-specified and other funding sources still to be confirmed.
In the fray of this predicament, the principle "polluter pays" underscores Basel-Mulhouse Airport's responsibility for covering the costs associated with filtration. Bruno Wollenschneider, president of the Association for the Defense of Residents of Basel-Mulhouse Airport (ADRA), advocates for the airport to shoulder these additional expenses and not pass the burden onto the consumers and communities residing near the airport.
Community initiatives like personal filtration systems deployed by residents such as Franck Bezza underline the lack of publicly funded solutions to address the crisis. ADRA is also conducting a blood-level study aimed at exerting pressure on authorities to allocate the necessary resources and address the matter decisively.
While legal action or liability claims against the airport may materialize, the resolution of accountability remains an on-going process, with advocacy efforts continuing to formalize the responsible parties and secure the funds necessary for remediation in this contaminated region.
[1] - ALISACE ECOLOGIQUE[2] - [Frank Bezza] (http://www.franckbezza.com/)[3] - RESIDENTS NEAR EUROAIRPORT BASEL-MULHOUSE AIRPORT[4] - CITIZENS OF AL SENADIEU-BIRKECK[5] - [COALITION OF REGIONAL APFAIR] (https://apfairegionale.org/)
- The health-and-wellness of sensitive residents in Saint-Louis, Alsace is under threat as PFAS pollution prompts a tap water ban due to contamination over 11 communes.
- Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, young children, and immunocompromised individuals have been advised to avoid drinking tap water starting May 5th, 2023.
- The presence of PFAS, known as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, exceeding regulatory limits has led to this precautionary measure to protect public health.
- The contamination can be traced back to firefighting foams containing PFAS, historically utilized near Basel-Mulhouse Airport, the primary culprit for the persistent pollution.
- As part of the remediation plan, mobile filtration units will be deployed in the short term, while three filtration plants will be constructed as a medium to long-term solution at an estimated cost of 20 million euros.
- The principle of "polluter pays" underscores Basel-Mulhouse Airport's responsibility for covering the costs associated with filtration, with advocacy efforts continuing to formalize the responsible parties and secure the funds necessary for remediation.
- In the midst of this crisis, environmental-science will play a crucial role in understanding the extent of the contamination and finding effective solutions to address the issue.
- As the situation unfolds, policy-and-legislation and politics are likely to be weighty factors in determining how the regions affected by PFAS pollution move forward in addressing this environmental and health concern.
