NI Water is appealing to farmers, land managers, contractors and domestic users to take extra care when using plant protection products to treat rushes and weeds during late summer-time when spraying is often carried out.
Small drips and spills when preparing, applying or disposing of chemicals - or when washing down equipment in the yard - can quickly make their way into drains, streams, rivers and lakes, particularly following heavy rainfall. Many of these watercourses are used by NI Water as raw water sources before being treated to supply our drinking water.
By taking simple precautions, users can help reduce the amount of plant protection product entering the water environment, protect local wildlife and support the continued supply of safe, wholesome drinking water.
NI Water Catchment Manager Roy Taylor said: “Our monitoring shows that MCPA is commonly detected in watercourses during the application season, particularly in April/May and often again in September. This is the time of year when many farmers are treating rushes and weeds in grassland, and when householders may also be using products to control weeds in gardens.
“Many of these products contain MCPA, a broadleaf herbicide which remains one of the main challenges for protecting raw water quality in Northern Ireland. Because MCPA is highly soluble and can remain in surface water for a long time, it is difficult and costly to remove at the water treatment stage.
“NI Water works hard to remove substances such as MCPA to meet drinking water standards and provide safe, wholesome drinking water for customers. However, the best outcome for everyone is to prevent these products entering rivers and lakes in the first place.
“MCPA loss from land also represents wasted product and a financial loss to farm businesses. It can also pose a risk to the water environment and to the plants and animals that depend on it. We all have a part to play in protecting our precious drinking water resources.”
NI Water is a member of The Water Catchment Partnership, which brings together the Ulster Farmers’ Union, DAERA, CAFRE, NI Water, ABC District Council, Translink and the Voluntary Initiative to tackle pesticide pollution in raw water. Since 2013, the partnership has helped promote best practice when using pesticides, with a particular focus on reducing MCPA levels in local watercourses.
Recent NI Water initiatives include the Farming for Water Seagahan scheme, which offers farmers and landowners in the Seagahan drinking water catchment 100% funded measures to help reduce MCPA, nutrients and soil entering local watercourses. Building on the success of the nearby Clay Lake scheme, the initiative supports practical farm improvements that benefit both farm businesses and water quality in Seagahan reservoir.
By helping farmers make small changes to protect the catchment, the Farming for Water scheme aims to support more sustainable farming while also helping to reduce the cost of treating and supplying high-quality drinking water. Details and application information are available at www.niwater.com/farming-for-water
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Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com