{"id":3039,"date":"2022-05-10T11:54:08","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T10:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/monaghan.ie\/waterservices\/?p=3039"},"modified":"2022-05-10T11:54:08","modified_gmt":"2022-05-10T10:54:08","slug":"three-pesticide-exceedances-in-monaghan-drinking-water-supplies-in-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/monaghan.ie\/waterservices\/2022\/05\/10\/three-pesticide-exceedances-in-monaghan-drinking-water-supplies-in-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Three pesticide exceedances in Monaghan drinking water supplies in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public urged to continue to consider the environment and alternatives to pesticides when gardening, farming and maintaining sports grounds\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Issued Thursday, 28 April 2022 \u2013<\/strong> Three exceedances of the pesticide 2,4-D and MCPA were detected in the public drinking water supplies in Emyvale, Glaslough and Lough Egish Regional Water Supply Scheme (LERWSS) in 2021.\u00a0These exceedances were detected as part of Irish Water\u2019s public water supply monitoring programme.\u00a0MCPA is still the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water sources and is present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control thistles, docks and rushes.<\/p>\n

There was a reduction in the number of exceedances for pesticides in public drinking water supplies in Monaghan last year, according to Irish Water. In 2020 the utility detected five exceedances for MCPA as part of its ongoing monitoring, however, this had reduced to three exceedances for 2,4-D and MCPA in 2021.<\/p>\n

The Emyvale, Glaslough and LERWSS water supplies abstracts raw water from Emy Lough and Lough Bawn, both of which are vulnerable to runoff from land. Irish Water is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products to continue to consider the vulnerability of their local drinking water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to local homes and businesses in the community.<\/p>\n

Irish Water, working in partnership with a range of organisations involved in the NPDWAG, is asking the farming community, greens keepers, grounds keepers, and also domestic users of pesticides, to consider in each case whether they need to use pesticides at all. Minimising pesticide use not only helps to protect water quality but also has wider environmental benefits. For example, leaving areas unsprayed can help native flowering plant species to grow and support a range of insects including bees and other vital pollinators. One third of Ireland\u2019s bee species are threatened with extinction and by helping the bee population survive and thrive we are also helping to protect our precious water sources. For more information on practical ways to help bees and other pollinators, check out the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan at www.pollinators.ie<\/a>. Farmers should also bear in mind that application of herbicides reduces sward species diversity and could negatively impact on payments in future agri-environmental schemes.<\/p>\n

Where pesticide use is considered necessary, the NPDWAG is working with local communities to ensure that best practice measures to protect drinking water sources and biodiversity are always followed. Farmers and other landholders dealing with the challenge of rushes should note Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (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. More information on this can be obtained from your local farm advisor or on\u00a0www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie\/sud\/waterprotection<\/a><\/p>\n

The NPDWAG is chaired by the DAFM and involves key stakeholders from a range of Government departments and agencies, local authorities, industry representative bodies, farming organisation, water sector organisations and amenity sector organisations.<\/p>\n

Dr Pat O\u2019Sullivan, Irish Water\u2019s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: \u201cIn Co Monaghan, the exceedances of the drinking water regulations for 2,4-D and MCPA were noted in the Emyvale, Glaslough and LERWSS public water supplies following routine sampling.\u00a0While our consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels we are detecting do not represent a threat to public health, they are still however undesirable in drinking water and it is therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adding to this, Dr Aidan Moody, DAFM and Chair of NPDWAG commented: \u201cWe need the continued engagement of all stakeholders, working in partnership, make further progress. Users of pesticides must always consider alternatives in the first instance and if the application of pesticides is considered essential make sure that they follow best practice measures to protect water quality.\u201d<\/p>\n

If pesticides have to be used, the basic steps to reduce risks to drinking water sources and the aquatic environment are:<\/strong><\/p>\n