In a serene residential area outside St. John’s, chemistry professor Karl Jobst parked his truck and headed to a verdant wetland. He pointed out that the water flowing from the airport was essentially industrial wastewater. Despite warning signs against dumping in the marsh, the contamination of The Gully, a conservation area, where Jobst resides, deeply concerns him.
Studies by Jobst’s lab at Memorial University reveal the presence of toxic forever chemicals in The Gully and the drinking water of homes in Torbay, N.L., located about 3.5 kilometers downstream from a decommissioned firefighting training site at St. John’s International Airport contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Transport Canada oversees the airport site, which is among 80 federal locations tainted with PFAS. These synthetic chemicals, known for their long persistence, have been linked to serious health issues like cancers and liver damage. Jobst, motivated by a CBC News report about contamination near the airport, initiated independent water testing in the area.
Testing conducted by Jobst and PhD student Emmanuel Tolefe revealed elevated PFAS levels in South Pond, with levels exceeding Canadian drinking water guidelines in a creek flowing from South Pond through The Gully. Concerned about groundwater contamination, Jobst offered free water testing to nearby residents.
Analysis of 15 homes within 500 meters of The Gully showed over half with contaminated water, some surpassing Canadian guidelines. Jobst expressed shock over the findings and worries that the contamination’s full extent remains unknown. Similar incidents of PFAS spreading far from sources have been reported in other regions.
Independent experts confirmed Jobst’s findings through water sampling in The Gully and affected homes. Residents like Hayley Hussey-Smart, unaware of the contamination until Jobst’s testing, have taken protective measures like installing water filters.
Despite Jobst’s efforts, Transport Canada has not provided testing or support to affected residents in Torbay. The department has only assisted residents in Pine Ridge with elevated PFAS levels. Residents await assistance and guidance from the authorities to address the contamination issue effectively.
The discovery of contamination in South Pond Brook years earlier and subsequent findings in nearby homes raise questions about the origin of the PFAS. Jobst and experts suspect the airport as a likely source, emphasizing the importance of addressing the contamination promptly.
Residents have installed filtration systems, significantly reducing PFAS levels in their water. Jobst underscores the importance of awareness and proactive measures to safeguard water quality in affected areas. The community, led by Mayor Craig Scott, seeks long-term solutions and government intervention to address the contamination crisis.