Protecting Water from Pesticide Use

Pesticides have the potential to contaminate drinking water supplies.  They are applied to farmlands, gardens and lawns and can make their way into ground water or surface water systems that feed drinking water supplies. 

Whether these contaminants pose a health risk depends on how toxic the pesticides are, how much is in the water, and how much exposure occurs on a daily basis.

Leaflets

• This leaflet contains general advice for all professional users: Advice for Farmers and Other Professional Users
• This leaflet contains much of the advice in the previous leaflet but is targeted at professionals using herbicides on grassland, and also includes a section on MCPA and rush control. Herbicide Use in Grassland
• This leaflet contains general advice for amateur users: Advice for Gardeners and Household Users
• information regarding pesticides used in Agriculture and Horticulture:  https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/sustainable-use-directive/

Rush Control with MCPA

Youtube video demonstrating rush control using MCPA from Teagasc & the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine