Banned pesticide found in streams and reservoirs

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Tests are being carried out on the Island’s drinking water after a pesticide that hasn’t been used in more than ten years was found in streams.

Health officials have stressed that the samples of oxadixyl are within safe levels, but say that they have also found traces of pesticides Metribuzin and Linuron at Val de la Mare, also beneath levels that would threaten health.

Oxadixyl is now banned from use - the manufacturers decided not to renew its licensing in 2003, meaning that its license lapsed.

The new traces have been found after Jersey Water started using a new testing laboratory in the UK.

Environment Minister Steve Luce is considering new measures to regulate pesticide use, and boreholes are being checked to ensure that they are within safe limits - that testing is expected to continue for a few weeks.

Deputy Luce said: “Agricultural products and farming practices are far more environmentally friendly than they used to be and our testing and monitoring regime is much more rigorous and sophisticated than even a few years ago, which means we pick up far more than we used to.

“But the fact remains, these test results are unacceptable, and I think the time has come to consider tougher measures. We’re talking to sector representatives to discuss how we can work together to achieve better standards.

“I want to assure people that public water is clean and safely within EU guideline drinking water limits, thanks to Jersey Water blending supplies and by-passing affected reservoirs, but we need more information about levels in private boreholes and wells which we’re gathering now and we’ll share with the public in due course.”

The Chief Executive of Jersey Water Helier Smith emphasised that the company was selecting and blending water resources, and that the company was working with the States to resolve the issue.

He said: “The important thing for Jersey consumers to note is that the public water supply is safe. Jersey Water is actively managing the situation to ensure we continue to supply high quality water to our customers.”