While there is no threat to public health, Irish Water says that it is imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when spraying their lands.
Exceedances in pesticides have been detected in drinking water sources in Co Offaly, according to Irish Water.
As a result Irish Water, working in partnership with the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG), are appealing to farmers and other users of pesticides to follow the guidelines when applying these substances to their lands.
In Offaly the exceedances were noted in the Clara water supply in 2017.
While Irish Water would like to clarify that there is no threat to public health, it is imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when spraying their lands.
Commenting ahead of the 2018 spraying season, Andrew Boylan, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: “Irish Water is continuing its extensive investment programme to improve water and wastewater services in Ireland.”
“Providing safe, clean drinking water for all is our first priority. 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.”
One water supply in Offaly saw the herbicide MCPA detected over the past year, 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 likely to be continuing for many more years. It is also found in other weed killer formulations used by gardeners and growers, so its use is quite widespread.
A single drop of pesticide can breach the drinking water limit in a small stream for up to 30 kilometres.
Drinking water monitoring results for Ireland show that a number of pesticides commonly used on grassland, such as MCPA, are being detected more frequently.
Irish Water and NPDWAG have also released a list on how to follow best practice in the application of pesticides on land, particularly near lakes and rivers used as drinking water sources.
The basic steps in reducing pesticide risks are:
- Choose the right pesticide product
- Read and follow the product label
- Determine the right amount to purchase and use
- Don’t spray if rain or strong wind is forecast in the next 48 hours
- Make sure you are aware of the location of all nearby water courses
- Comply with any buffer zone specified on the product label to protect the aquatic environment
- Mark out the specified buffer zone from the edge of the river or lake or other water course
- Never fill a sprayer directly from a water course or carry out mixing, loading or other handling operations beside a water course
- Avoid spills, stay well back from open drains and rinse empty containers 3 times into the sprayer
- Store and dispose of pesticides and their containers properly.
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