Farmers warned over pesticides in Macroom drinking water supply

PESTICIDES were detected in the Macroom Water Supply Scheme with farmers in the area warned to follow guidelines when spraying such substances on their land.

There’s no threat to public health however, farmers are being urged to follow best practice when at this activity. 

Exceedances in pesticides were observed in several drinking water sources in Cork, including Macroom, and as a result Irish Water working in partnership with the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG) issued their appeal to farmers and other users of pesticides to follow all guidelines associated spraying.

The efforts to reduce the incidence of these detections are being coordinated by the NPDWAG. This group is chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 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.

Deirdre O’Loughlin, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist, said: ‘Irish Water is continuing its extensive investment programme to improve water and wastewater services in Ireland. Providing safe, clean drinking water for all is our first priority. In Ireland, the majority (82 per cent) of drinking water supplies come from surface water sources (water from rivers, lakes and streams). Such supplies are vulnerable to contamination from land and animal run-off.’

Meanwhile Irish Water repair crews attended burst water mains in a number of areas including Schull and Laurel Walk in Bandon earlier where residents experienced disruptions to their supply.