An exceedance for the pesticide Bentazone has been detected in the public drinking water supply in Fanad East (Shannagh) and for the pesticide MCPA in the public drinking water supply in Buncrana.
Bentazone is an active substance present in commercial herbicide products used to control broadleaf weeds in spring and winter field beans, broad bean, dwarf French bean, runner bean, dry beans, combining pea, vining pea, linseed, ornamental plant production, 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 Irish Water’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. Irish Water is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products in the Shanagh Lake and Lough Doo 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.
The efforts to reduce the incidence and level of these detections are being coordinated by the NPDWAG. This group is chaired by the DAFM. All of the key stakeholders are represented in this group and include other Government departments and agencies; local authorities; industry representative bodies; farming organisations; water sector organisations; and amenity sector organisations.