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Film Studios Linked to "Forever Chemicals"
13 Mar
Summary
- Former film studios investigated for "forever chemicals" in groundwater.
- PFAS detected in water supply serving parts of London.
- Water company seeks "polluter pays" principle for cleanup costs.
The site of the former Denham Film Studios in Buckinghamshire is being investigated as a potential source of "forever chemicals" detected in groundwater. Affinity Water suspects that historical film and photographic processing at the studios may be linked to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in the Blackford Water Treatment Works in Hillingdon. This groundwater previously supplied 20 million liters of drinking water daily to parts of London.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate identified Blackford Water Treatment Works as a potential health risk in 2022 due to the presence of PFOA, a carcinogenic PFAS compound. The treatment works has been offline since 2021. Affinity Water is proposing a £2 million pilot treatment program, with plans for a £31 million plant if successful, the costs of which are expected to be passed on to consumers.
Weston Homes, the current owner of the studio site, is reportedly in discussions with Affinity Water. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is also investigating potential PFAS sources in the vicinity. Affinity Water advocates for a "polluter pays" principle and improved staffing for the Environment Agency to aid in pollution source investigations and enforcement.
