Exceedances in pesticides have been detected in drinking water sources in Co Cork and as a result Irish Water are working in partnership with the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG)
In Cork the exceedances were noted in the Macroom Water Supply Scheme in 2017 and while there is no threat to public health, it is imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when spraying their lands.
A number of supplies in Cork have seen the herbicide MCPA detected over the past two years, albeit mostly at very low levels.
MCPA is used mainly for eradicating rushes, a problem for many years on Irish farms and one that looks like continuing for many more years.
The efforts to reduce the incidence of these detections are being coordinated by the NPDWAG. This group is chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Deirdre O’Loughlin, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water compliance specialist said: “In Ireland, the majority (82%) of drinking water supplies come from surface water sources (water from rivers, lakes and streams). Such supplies are vulnerable to contamination from land and animal run-off.”
Adding to this, Dr Aidan Moody, chair of NPDWAG commented: “Users of pesticides should make sure that they are aware of the best practice measures that should be followed to protect water quality.”
A single drop of pesticide can breach the drinking water limit in a small stream for up to 30km. This highlights the potential risk facing many of Ireland’s drinking water sources. Drinking water monitoring results for Ireland show that a number of pesticides commonly used on grassland, such as MCPA, are being detected more frequently.
The basic steps in reducing pesticide risks are:
Spraying should only be carried out by certified Professional Users using tested & certified sprayersChoose the right pesticide productRead and follow the product label
Determine the right amount to purchase and useDon’t spray if rain or strong wind is forecast in the next 48 hoursMake sure you are aware of the location of all nearby water coursesComply with any buffer zone specified on the product label to protect the aquatic environmentMark out the specified buffer zone from the edge of the river or lake or other water courseComply with the statutory ‘no-use’ zones (called safeguard zones)Never fill a sprayer directly from a water courseNever carry out mixing, loading, washing beside a water courseAvoid spills, stay well back from open drainsStore and dispose of pesticides and their containers properly Read more
Farmers call for action on bullying allegations
Suspected water contamination kills 54 cows
Desire to speed-up approval process for safe new pesticides
Exceedances in pesticides have been detected in drinking water sources in Co Cork and as a result Irish Water are working in partnership with the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG)
In Cork the exceedances were noted in the Macroom Water Supply Scheme in 2017 and while there is no threat to public health, it is imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when spraying their lands.
A number of supplies in Cork have seen the herbicide MCPA detected over the past two years, albeit mostly at very low levels.
MCPA is used mainly for eradicating rushes, a problem for many years on Irish farms and one that looks like continuing for many more years.
The efforts to reduce the incidence of these detections are being coordinated by the NPDWAG. This group is chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Deirdre O’Loughlin, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water compliance specialist said: “In Ireland, the majority (82%) of drinking water supplies come from surface water sources (water from rivers, lakes and streams). Such supplies are vulnerable to contamination from land and animal run-off.”
Adding to this, Dr Aidan Moody, chair of NPDWAG commented: “Users of pesticides should make sure that they are aware of the best practice measures that should be followed to protect water quality.”
A single drop of pesticide can breach the drinking water limit in a small stream for up to 30km. This highlights the potential risk facing many of Ireland’s drinking water sources. Drinking water monitoring results for Ireland show that a number of pesticides commonly used on grassland, such as MCPA, are being detected more frequently.
The basic steps in reducing pesticide risks are:
Spraying should only be carried out by certified Professional Users using tested & certified sprayersChoose the right pesticide productRead and follow the product label
Determine the right amount to purchase and useDon’t spray if rain or strong wind is forecast in the next 48 hoursMake sure you are aware of the location of all nearby water coursesComply with any buffer zone specified on the product label to protect the aquatic environmentMark out the specified buffer zone from the edge of the river or lake or other water courseComply with the statutory ‘no-use’ zones (called safeguard zones)Never fill a sprayer directly from a water courseNever carry out mixing, loading, washing beside a water courseAvoid spills, stay well back from open drainsStore and dispose of pesticides and their containers properly Read more
Farmers call for action on bullying allegations
Suspected water contamination kills 54 cows
Desire to speed-up approval process for safe new pesticides
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