Three exceedances of pesticides were detected in the public drinking water supplies in Buncrana, Donegal (River Eske) and Fanad East (Shannagh) in 2021, Irish Water reports.
The exceedances of the pesticide Bentazone and MCPA were detected as part of Irish Water’s public water supply monitoring programme. MCPA is still the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water sources and is present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control thistles, docks and rushes.
There was a slight reduction in the number of exceedances for pesticides in public drinking water supplies in Donegal last year, according to Irish Water. In 2020 the utility detected four exceedances for MCPA and 2,4-D as part of its ongoing monitoring, however, this had reduced to three exceedances in 2021.
The Buncrana, Donegal (River Eske) and Fanad East (Shannagh) water supplies extract raw water from Lough Doo, River Eske and Shannagh Lake respectively, all of which are vulnerable to runoff 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.
Dr Pat O’Sullivan, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: “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.”
