By Dan Walsh
Four exceedances for pesticides were detected in the public drinking water supplies in Clonroche, Ferns Regional and South Regional public water supplies in 2021. These were detected as part of Irish Water’s public water supply monitoring programme.
The Clonroche water supply abstracts raw water boreholes in the vicinity of Clonroche, The Ferns Regional water supply abstracts raw water from the River Currlane and the South Regional water supply is abstracted from the River Owenduff, both of which are vulnerable to run-off 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.
Patrick Duggan, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: “In Co Wexford the exceedances of the drinking water regulations for Bentazone, Clopyralid, Fluoroxypyr, and 2,4-D were noted in the Clonroche, Ferns Regional and South Regional public water supplies following routine sampling. While 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.”
The public urged to continue to consider the environment and alternatives to pesticides when gardening, farming and maintaining sports grounds.
WexfordLocal.com 