Latest news with #AidanMoody
Agriland
28-04-2025
- Health
- Agriland
66 pesticide exceedances in public drinking water supplies in 2024
66 pesticide exceedances were detected in public drinking water supplies in Ireland last year, compared to 52 exceedances in 2023, according to Uisce Éireann. In 2024, the national water utility carried out 34,000 analyses of samples from public drinking water supplies. The number of pesticide exceedances in public drinking water supplies in Ireland has decreased significantly since 2017, by more than 50%. While the overall compliance rate remains very high, Uisce Éireann said that all stakeholders must make sustained efforts and be vigilant to protect drinking water quality. The most frequently detected pesticide substance in Ireland's drinking water is MCPA, an active substance in many herbicide products commonly used to control thistle, dock, and rush. Pesticide Currently, several catchment areas are prioritised for action, where Uisce Éireann has detected recurring pesticide exceedances through its monitoring programmes. These include Hacketstown, Co. Carlow, Greenmount, Co. Louth, and Foynes Shannon Estuary, Co Limerick. The National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG) and local catchment-based focus groups, established to coordinate targeted actions at a local level, are prioritising these areas for further work in 2025. Similar targeted action in recent years in areas such as Belturbet, Co. Cavan and Newport, Co. Mayo has successfully eliminated pesticide exceedances in those water supplies. Dr. Pat O'Sullivan, Uisce Éireann's drinking water compliance senior manager, emphasised the need for collective action. 'Last year, we detected pesticide exceedances 66 times in 22 public drinking water supplies. A concerning trend is the number of exceedances outside the spraying season for certain plant protection products, particularly in winter. 'We want to remind users to be mindful of water sources when using pesticides, as one drop of pesticide can be detected in a stream up to 30km away,' he said. The NPDWAG has reminded all users of herbicides and other pesticide products to always take account of the vulnerability of their local drinking water supplies when making decisions about the possible use of pesticides and to be aware of how their actions could impact their community's drinking water. Dr. Aidan Moody, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and chair of NPDWAG, said that an integrated pest management approach must be followed, in which the potential to use alternative control methods is fully considered. 'Users of pesticides must always consider the possibilities for alternative control methods in the first instance. If pesticide application is considered essential, ensure they follow best practices to protect water quality. This approach is a win-win for water quality and biodiversity,' Dr. Moody said. Farmers and other landholders dealing with the challenge of rushes should note and follow the DAFM guidance on the sustainable management of rushes. This approach is based on the concepts of containment or suppression and aims to minimise the use of pesticides. Correct usage If pesticides must be used, Uisce Éireann highlighted the following basic steps to reduce risks to drinking water sources and the aquatic environment: Always read the product label carefully and only use product as directed on the label; Note that a closed spray period, during which product use is not permitted, is specified on the label for some products (e.g., products containing MCPA). Products containing MCPA are not approved for use in weed-wipers; Do not use pesticides if rain is forecast in the next 48 hours; Make sure you are aware of the location of all nearby watercourses, including drains, wells and springs; Comply with either a minimum 3m no-spray buffer zone for any watercourse subject to CAP conditionality, or a larger product-specific aquatic buffer zone specified on a product label if one has been set; Avoid spills, stay well back from open drains, and rinse empty containers three times into the sprayer; Store and dispose of pesticides and their containers properly; Never fill a sprayer directly from a watercourse or carry out mixing, loading, or other handling operations beside a watercourse; Never fill/wash a sprayer on concrete or sealed surface areas where spillage/runoff to drains/watercourses is possible; Never leave a sprayer unattended during filling or mixing/agitating, regardless of location. Uisce Éireann has also launched a pilot study in Cavan's Erne-Larah catchment to encourage farmers to consider the vulnerability of the water supplies to pesticide contamination. This pilot study aims to assist Uisce Éireann with capturing new data and learnings on how different protection measures can improve water quality.
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Public drinking water found to contain chemicals used to kill slugs and weeds
Uisce Éireann said the 66 'exceedances' detected were rare and small and posed no risk to human health. However, the water utility and other agencies who make up the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group said the aim must be to keep pesticides out of waterways and drinking supplies completely. They appealed to farmers, landowners and gardeners to review their pesticide usage and to use alternative pest and weed control methods where possible. 'While the overall compliance rate remains very high, all stakeholders must make sustained efforts and be vigilant to protect drinking water quality,' the group said. The 66 exceedances were detected in 34,000 samples – an increase on the 52 incidents in 2023, although the trend in recent years has been downward. The affected supplies served populations totalling tens of thousands of people. 'A concerning trend is the number of exceedances outside the spraying season for certain plant protection products, particularly in winter,' said Dr Pat O'Sullivan, senior manager with Uisce Éireann. 'We want to remind users to be mindful of water sources when using pesticides, as one drop of pesticide can be detected in a stream up to 30km away.' The 66 detections were in 22 public drinking water supplies, a number of which have had repeated incidents in recent years. The action group has now prioritised several of the affected catchment areas for action. These include Hacketstown, Co Carlow, Greenmount, Co Louth, and Foynes/Shannon Estuary, Co Limerick. Extra attention is also being paid to supplies in Clonroche, Co Wexford, and Lough Forbes, Co Longford. 'Similar targeted action in recent years in areas such as Belturbet, Co Cavan, and Newport, Co Mayo, has successfully eliminated pesticide exceedances in those water supplies,' the group said. The most commonly found substance last year was MCPA, an ingredient in products used to control rushes, thistle and dock. Specific advice is available from the Department of Agriculture on how to minimise pesticide use to manage rushes, which are common on wet soils that drain into waterways. Other exceedances involved 2,4-D, a broad-leaf herbicide; glyphosate, the main ingredient in all-purpose Roundup; clopyralid, also a broad-leaf herbicide; and metaldehyde, used on slugs and snails. Uisce Éireann has begun a pilot project with farmers in Cavan's Erne-Larah catchment area to improve understanding of the impacts of pesticide use on waterways and adopt alternative ways of pest control. As well as affecting water quality and, potentially, human health, the action group is stressing the harm pesticides cause to flowering plants and the bees and other pollinators who depend on them. Department of Agriculture official Dr Aidan Moody who chairs the action group said alternative pest-control methods should always be considered first. 'If pesticide application is considered essential, follow best practices to protect water quality,' he said. 'This approach is a win-win for water quality and biodiversity.'
