Farmers in Cavan are receiving free advice from Teagasc to help tackle elevated levels of pesticides in water supplies for Cavan town and Belturbet. These supply drinking water to 12,730 people and are two of 63 supplies listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as needing corrective action. In 2018, Irish Water detected 18 breaches of pesticide limits among 66 samples (27%) taken in Cavan drinking water sources.
Farmers in Cavan are receiving free advice from Teagasc to help tackle elevated levels of pesticides in water supplies for Cavan town and Belturbet.
These supply drinking water to 12,730 people and are two of 63 supplies listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as needing corrective action. In 2018, Irish Water detected 18 breaches of pesticide limits among 66 samples (27%) taken in Cavan drinking water sources.
Nationally, the grassland herbicide MCPA accounts for 75% of pesticide breaches. It is mainly used to tackle rushes. At an information meeting in Belturbet last Thursday ahead of the main rush spraying season, Teagasc appealed to farmers to follow guidelines on MCPA.
Just a single drop of pesticide can breach the drinking water limit in a small stream for up to 30km. The EPA has previously said the legal limit is well below the levels which would affect human health.
Alison Treanor, environmental scientist with Cavan County Council, said Cavan was one of 190 areas prioritised for particular attention under Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan 2018 to 2021.
Improvements in water quality are required in these areas by 2021 and farmers in those areas can avail of free access to advice from specially trained Teagasc advisers.
Teagasc’s Niall McCabe said the most effective way to combat rushes was to mulch or cut mature plants before applying an appropriate chemical. After allowing for six to eight weeks of regrowth, rushes could be sprayed with MCPA or have glyphosate applied through a weed-licker.
Read more
Farmers warned about MCPA use
Your farm: controlling rushes in Co Leitrim
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