By CASC4DE May 17, 2025
Saint-Louis Agglomération, Haut-Rhin – April 25, 2025 – In a landmark public health decision, the prefect of Haut-Rhin has officially banned the consumption of tap water for vulnerable individuals in 11 municipalities surrounding the Basel-Mulhouse EuroAirport, due to high levels of PFAS contamination — persistent pollutants often dubbed “forever chemicals”.
This precautionary measure applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants under two years old, people with compromised immune systems, and elderly individuals in fragile health. The decision was made jointly with the ARS Grand Est (Regional Health Agency) and Saint-Louis Agglomération and will remain in effect until at least December 31, 2025.
🔬 PFAS Contamination: A Long-Lasting Legacy
Extensive testing in 2023 revealed that the concentration of PFAS in local drinking water exceeds the regulatory threshold of 0.1 µg/L for the sum of 20 regulated PFAS compounds. These chemicals are known for their environmental persistence and links to serious health issues, including:
- Immune system disruption
- Hormonal interference
- Fertility and pregnancy complications
- Certain cancers (e.g., kidney, testicular)
- Elevated cholesterol levels
The primary source of contamination has been traced back to past use of firefighting foams at the airport. Although the EuroAirport stopped using PFAS-based foams in January 2017, the chemicals remain in the environment and have infiltrated the local groundwater.
🏗 A €20 Million Action Plan
To mitigate the crisis, the local authorities have launched a multi-year remediation plan:
- €6.5 million for mobile filtration units (already deployed)
- €13.5 million for the construction of three permanent treatment stations, due by 2027
- €600,000 annually for operation and monitoring
- Total estimated cost: €20 million, including studies and oversight
The current water budget of Saint-Louis Agglomération stands at only €4 million/year, putting significant financial pressure on local authorities and ratepayers.
💰 Who Will Pay the Price?
Despite being identified as the pollution source, the EuroAirport has not yet committed to co-financing the remediation effort. The ADRA (Association for the Defense of Airport Residents) is actively demanding the application of the “polluter pays” principle, to ensure the financial burden does not fall unfairly on the local population.
This raises a critical policy question:
Who should pay for the cleanup? And how can we prevent such contamination in the future?
🌍 A Widespread Concern
This situation is not isolated. In early 2025, independent analyses by UFC-Que Choisir and Générations Futures revealed widespread PFAS contamination in the tap water of major French cities including Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Paris, Bordeaux, and Lyon — some exceeding recommended safety thresholds.
At Mulhouse, levels of PFOS (a regulated PFAS compound) were recorded at 1.9 ng/L, contributing to rising public concern.