Only one exceedance of pesticide pollution of public water supplies in Co. Galway

THERE was only one ‘exceedance’ of the pesticide, MCPA, found in public water supplies during 2021, Irish Water has confirmed.

The exceedance occurred in the Tullycross public supply in North-West Connemara whose water source is the nearby Tully Lough.

According to Irish Water, this one incidence of exceedance was ‘a significant reduction’ from five such occurrences in 2020.

They also point out that Tully Lough is vulnerable to run-off from land and have appealed to all users of pesticides to continue to consider the vulnerability of their local water supply.

MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) continues to be the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water – it is used to control thistles, docks and rushes.

In 2020, pesticide exceedances were also found for two other chemicals used in the control of weeds – 2,4-D and Glyphosate.

The National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG) which includes Dept. of Agriculture, local authorities, environmental interests and farming organisations, aims to greatly reduce the risk of pesticides getting into public water supplies.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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