Impact on Drinking Water Sources

In 1980 the Drinking Water Directive was introduced, which specified a maximum limit of 0.1 /rgU for any pesticide in drinking water and 0.5 /rgU for total pesticides. Monitoring was needed for a wide range of pesticides in water and this became the impetus for developing new analytical techniques capable of detecting pesticides at very low levels. Consequently, analytical techniques improved and more pesticides were detected in watercourses and water supplies. 

Atrazine and simazine arose principally as a result of their use in amenity situations but, since their ban for non-agriciiltiiral purposes, concentrations are generally declining. Fiowever, atrazine and simazine still have some agricultural uses (atrazine on maize and simazine on a wide range of crops), so the risk of pollution still exists when these pesticides are applied in either groundwater or surface water drinking water supply catchments. 

Investigate the role of set-aside for water protection and blackgrass control 

Target rate of 1.5kgha when results of research are known Not to use on cracked soils to avoid run-off through drains Revocation of aerial use 

Where a Water Protection Zone is created, use can be reconsidered within it 

---

According to the report on the official Inquiry into the Walkerton accident [147], the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs in Ontario is responsible for regulating agricultural activities with potential impact on drinking water sources. In fact, there was no watershed protection plan to protect the water system from agricultural runoff. Instead, the MOE was responsible for ensuring that the water systems could not be affected by such runoff. 

No regulatory requirements for agricultural activities that create impacts on drinking water sources. 

---