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WQ.12/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 25th JANUARY 2021 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2021
Question
In respect of Island-wide monitoring of pollution, will the Minister give an update on the commitments made in answer to Oral Questions 160/2019 and 123/2020 to prioritise progress on installing real-time air quality monitoring in key sites around the Island (such as the Tunnel) and on the commitments made in response to Written Questions 210/2019 and 282/2019 – that sensors would be in place at every school in the Island before the start of September 2019; and if these targets have not been achieved to date, will the Minister explain why not?
Answer
I can confirm that as of 15th January 2020, 45 real time air monitors have been fitted to every school in the Island with the exception of one site which is a listed building. An alternative position for mounting the air monitor unit is being explored.
The remaining 11 units supplied on Island have been fitted to other sites as part of Phase II. The tunnel will be selected when further units are supplied, and work is done to source power at the specific location.
Other real time monitoring is undertaken in the Central Market and Howard Davis Park. These monitoring results are published on the Government of Jersey website.
There are still a number of steps that need to be completed before data is made available. This includes ensuring the 56 installed units are operating and reporting data. This is all within the control of the owners of the equipment which the Government of Jersey has not had to contribute financially towards.
A significant number of units are not transmitting data and Covid has prevented the attendance of specialist engineers and technicians from attending the Island.
Despite pressures placed on Environmental Health who formed the Contact Tracing Team, Officers have still been out when time permits to complete the installations in phase I.
Once the units are working as expected, it will allow for further extension of the network, correlation audits with a UK institute to determine accuracy and the provision of the data portal which we have been advised includes an initial single screen output suitable for use in schools. Work is also ongoing with the suppliers to compare the data from the units to an established air quality recorder from the Central Market, supplied by Government.
Only when all parties are satisfied with the quality of data can contractual terms be agreed for access.