Pesticides in Water Sources
How we use and dispose of pesticides can affect the quality of our drinking water. Learn more about how to protect water sources from contamination.
A pesticide is a substance that prevents insects, weeds and other pests from harming plants. Pesticides are used in many sectors, including:
- agriculture
- transport
- forestry
- amenities (e.g. public parks, golf courses)
- domestic gardens
While pesticide use is common, using, storing and disposing of pesticides in the wrong way can cause harm. Mismanaging pesticides can pollute surrounding environments and our drinking water sources. That's why pesticide use is strictly regulated in Ireland under the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulations.
Pesticides and water sources
Uisce Éireann regularly monitor pesticide levels in drinking water samples to makes sure that standards are met. Through monitoring public water supplies, some samples have been identified as having pesticide concentrations that are above our drinking water standards.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), these levels of pesticide concentration are not a concern for public health. However, conventional water treatment processes are not designed to remove pesticides from source water. That's why it's important to understand how pesticide use in water catchments can affect our water quality. This way, we target the issue of contamination at its source.
Watch our video below to learn more about protecting water sources from pesticides.
National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group
We also work closely with the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG). Our work with NPDWAG includes a focus on preventing and monitoring pesticide contamination in water catchments across Ireland.
- enhance collaboration between relevant stakeholders
- raise awareness at a national and regional level
- promote best practices when using pesticides.
We work with the following:
- Animal and Plant Health Association
- Agricultural Consultants Association
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Health Service Executive
- Federation of Agrochemical Retail Merchants
- Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland
- Confederation of Golf in Ireland
- Hardware Association of Ireland
- Irish Farmers Association of Ireland
- Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association of Ireland
- Local Authorities Local Authority Water Programme
- National Federation of Group Water Schemes
- Teagasc/ Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme
Interim Pesticide Strategy
Our interim pesticide strategy aims to reduce the risk of contamination in water sources.
Advice on using pesticides
Uisce Éireann in partnership with organisations involved in NPDWAG is working towards a reduction in pesticide use. We urge the farming community, greens keepers, grounds keepers, as well as domestic users of pesticides, to consider in each case whether they need to use pesticides at all.
Minimising pesticide use not only helps to protect water quality but also has environmental benefits for biodiversity.
Using pesticides safely
Sometimes, pesticide use is hard to avoid. When using pesticides, it's important to follow best practices. We have dedicated tips for pesticide use in farms, grasslands and household gardens. For more information, download the leaflets below.
Protecting water sources in the agricultural sector
How pesticides are used on farms can have a big impact on our water sources. Learn more about best practices for pesticide use in the agricultural sector.