Members of the public are being urged to consider alternatives to pesticides after traces of the highly toxic chemicals were found in two local drinking water supplies.
Irish Water (IW) has confirmed that exceedance for the pesticide Bentazone have been detected in the public water supply in Fanad East (Shannagh) and for the pesticide MCPA in Buncrana. To date this year, pesticides have been detected in 10% of Donegal’s drinking water supplies.
Bentazone is an active substance present in commercial herbicide products used to control weeds in spring and in winter as well as in maize and potatoes. MCPA is an active substance present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control the growth of thistles, docks and rushes. These exceedances were detected as part of IW’s public water supply monitoring programme.
The Fanad East (Shannagh) water supply abstracts raw water from the Shanagh Lake and Buncrana water supply abstracts water from Lough Doo, both of which are vulnerable to runoff from land. The water utility is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products in both catchments to consider the vulnerability of the water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of this supply to the local homes and businesses in the community.
Dr Pat O’Sullivan, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: “In Co Donegal, we have a number of drinking water supplies impacted by pesticides including Ballymagroarty, Donegal (River Eske), Fanad East (Shannagh) and most recently Buncrana public water supplies following routine sampling. What’s disappointing is that this now means we have more than 10% of public drinking water supplies in Donegal impacted by pesticides in 2021. The most recent pesticide detections in Co Donegal were noted in the Fanad East (Shannagh) and Buncra public water supplies following routine sampling in May 2021. MCPA detections were previously detected in the Fanad East (Shannagh) in 2020. While our consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels seen do not represent a threat to public health, it is however undesirable and therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives.”
Irish Water, working in partnership with a range of organisations involved in the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG), is asking the farming community, greens keepers, grounds keepers, and domestic users, to consider in each case whether they need to use pesticides at all.
For more information on practical ways to help bees and other pollinators, check out the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan at www.pollinators.ie
Farmers and other landholders dealing with the challenge of tackling rushes should note that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has developed new guidance on the sustainable management of rushes. The new approach is based on the concepts of containment or suppression and aims to minimise the use of pesticides. More information on this can be obtained from your local farm advisor or on www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/waterprotection
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